U.S. fails to win global accord on police Internet eavesdropping
Article Abstract:
A US proposal allowing law enforcement agencies to eavesdrop on the Internet was not adopted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a group of 29 leading industrial nations. The Us was trying to limit the use of increasingly sophisticated data scrambling technology. Some OECD members, including France and Britain, have either outlawed or tightly regulate the use of data scrambling systems and were in favor of the US policy. The proposal would provide international law enforcement officials mathematical keys to computer-security codes, once a wiretapping warrant had been issued by a court. Germany is divided on its encryption position; the Interior Ministry would prefer encryption curbs be established, but the Economics Ministry and the Justice Ministry oppose it. Japan is said to be leaning toward the US policy, but other countries such as Canada, Finland, Denmark and Australia have policies protecting individual privacy.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1997
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High-tech eavesdropping raises new questions on personal privacy
Article Abstract:
Eavesdropping equipment has emerged as a lucrative commercial market in Silicon Valley. A federal trial on sophisticated eavesdropping technology trafficking will explore personal privacy issues in the wireless communications era. The Justice Department filed suit in San Jose, CA, against two Burlingame, CA, men. Tech Support Systems owner Gilbert Walz allegedly conspired to ship portable electronic surveillance equipment from Canada to Federal informant in Cooksville, TN. Jude Daggett allegedly produced and sold similar equipment illegally after he reportedly sold a software program, designed to control a cellular eavesdropping device, to a second informant. Questions surround the legality of surveillance technology, because it depends exclusively on circumstances such a seller's ability to verify the identity of a buyer. Experts say illegal usage spans from individual pursuits to Latin American organized crime and drug cartels.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1997
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Compromise is offered on computer security codes; a balancing act between commerce and law enforcement
Article Abstract:
The Clinton Administration is offering to remove export restrictions on data-scrambling software to companies that accept a plan that would allow law-enforcement agencies to unscramble messages. The new approach is supported by an alliance led by IBM and has been accepted by the CIA. The technology would enable law-enforcement officials who have a warrant to unscramble messages without the need for a mathematical key to the code. The two-step process requires the cooperation of at least two outside parties designated by the companies sending the messages. The new plan is in response to criticism of earlier systems that critics maintain would compromise rights to privacy. Some critics still contend the new plan still breaches these rights. The ban on export of encryption technologies has hampered the software industry because it has not been able to compete in foreign markets.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1996
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