13 April 1999
To: cryptography@c2.net Subject: FYI.... From: "Perry E. Metzger" <perry@piermont.com> Date: 13 Apr 1999 09:56:29 -0400 Columbia Institute for Tele-Information presents: NEW PROPOSALS TO BRIDGE THE ENCRYPTION DEBATE Amitai Etzioni Professor, George Washington University and Founder, Communitarian Movement Moderator: Richard L. Field, Esq., Chair, Electronic Commerce Payment Committee, ABA Respondents: David Kelly, Institute for Objectivist Studies Perry E. Metzger, Piermont Information Systems, Inc. Frank Sudia, Internet Financial PKI Consultant History indeed repeats itself. Nowhere does this seem more true than in the perennial encryption debates. Spurred by the spread of the Internet and electronic communications, the various sides have defined their positions, declared their differences to be irreconcilable, and dug in for the long battle. At issue are our fundamental social values. Some see a future threatened from the outside -by rogue governments, terrorists, criminals, industrial spies, and tax evaders. Others see the more insidious threat as coming from the inside -a "big brother" government whose unblinking eye monitors and controls all its citizens. In addition, commercial interests want an environment that is conducive to global business. The cost of a prolonged encryption war of attrition is substantial. Encryption technology is an essential component of electronic commerce. It encodes computer messages and files, keeping transmissions and stored records private and secure from unauthorized alteration and surveillance. It also allows parties to use secure "digital signatures". The Administration's current system of encryption export controls and its intense global advocacy of government monitoring capabilities for encrypted messages has received a mixed response, with many countries rejecting aspects of the U.S. position in favor of trade and privacy interests. Professor Etzioni, author of The Limits of Privacy, will offer his roadmap to balancing these competing interests. Respondents will review his conclusions from the business, technology, and individualistic perspectives. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1999, 5:30 PM 142 Uris Hall COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY Columbia Institute for Tele-Information Columbia University Graduate School of Business 809 Uris Hall New York, NY 10027 RSVP to: Columbia Institute for Tele-Information Fax: 212 932-7816 Phone: 212 854-4222 E-mail: kcarter@claven.gsb.columbia.edu