Peeking at your P.C.: Congress waters down a computer privacy bill

Article Abstract:

Demand for cryptography software that provides privacy in electronic communications, such as E-mail and the Internet, is on the rise, but government regulations are restricting its use. The US government considers encryption software as munitions and prohibits the sale of such products to foreign customers. This is because foreign governments could use the technology to encrypt communications during a war. The policy has restricted the US software market. Vendors find it too expensive to produce two versions of their products, one for US customers and another for overseas, so they have opted to market only products that meet the requirements for overseas sales. The proposed Encrypted Communications Privacy Act of 1996 would increase the availability of encryption software in the US, but would limit personal freedoms in other ways. It would criminalize the use of cryptography in many ways and provide rules requiring 'key holders' that would enable an individual's messages to be decoded under a court order without that individual's knowledge or consent.

Prepackaged software, Electronic Mail Software (Micro), Computer software industry, Software industry, Encryption, Data encryption, Export controls, Government export policy and export regulation

---

Some privacy please, for e-mail. Some privacy, please, for e-mail

Article Abstract:

Various courts have ruled that an employee's right to e-mail privacy has no legal basis, and many companies make it a policy to warn employees that e-mail may be monitored and to discourage personal e-mail usage. Surveys indicate that more than a third of corporations monitor their employees electronically, which usually includes e-mail spot-checks. In fact, the figure might be higher because some executives are inclined to keep their surveillance policies confidential. Generally speaking, corporations do not regard eavesdropping as unlawful, and many rationalize about such practices, saying productivity needs to be maintained and trade secrets must be safeguarded. Even so, companies are advised to grant privacy whenever this is possible, keeping in mind that successful workplaces are not merely places of employment but are communities as well. Employees' communal feelings and commitment to shared objectives are an important aspect of management.

Column

---

Who's reading your E-Mail? maybe your boss

Article Abstract:

Employees with e-mail privileges are discovering that they do not have any guarantee of privacy as a growing number of employers adopt written policies declaring sovereignty in electronic communication systems. Companies such as Kmart have made policies declaring that they can review all e-mail messages, which are stated at orientation. Other companies such as Pillsbury that formerly did not have an explicit policy, have been taken to court for using employees' e-mail messages as grounds for dismissal. Epson America, which has been sued in the past, now has its employees sign an acknowledgement of the company's e-mail policy. A Society for Human Resource Management study revealed that while 80% of respondents use e-mail, only 36% had a communications policy and only 32% had explicitly stated policies. While companies are encouraged to instate e-mail policies, writing a good one is another matter of concern and controversy.

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Marking-to-market and the demand for interest rate futures contracts. Price risk in the NYMEX energy complex: an extreme value approach
• Abstracts: Intuitive decision making. How to resolve board disputes more effectively
• Abstracts: High-tech help? It's your call. How to recruit a smart team. Preventive medicine at work
• Abstracts: Personal income was flat in August. Economy: jobless rate falls 5.6% in June. Producer prices were flat in March
• Abstracts: Insurance cycles: interest rates and the capacity constraint model. Adverse selection, private information, and lowballing in insurance markets

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.