The government went forward with key escrow, not because the key escrow proposal received a universally warm reception, but because none of the proposal’s critics was able to suggest a better way to accommodate society’s interests in both privacy and law enforcement. Unless somebody comes up with one, key escrow is likely to be around for quite a while. That’s because the only alternative being proposed today is for the government to design or endorse encryption systems that will cripple law enforcement when the technology migrates – as it surely will – to the private sector. And that alternative is simply irresponsible.
Predictor: Baker, Stewart
Prediction, in context:In a 1994 article he wrote for Wired, Stewart Baker, chief counsel for the National Security Agency, refuted “seven myths of key escrow encryption.” In it, he writes: ”The government went forward with key escrow, not because the key escrow proposal received a universally warm reception, but because none of the proposal’s critics was able to suggest a better way to accommodate society’s interests in both privacy and law enforcement. Unless somebody comes up with one, key escrow is likely to be around for quite a while. That’s because the only alternative being proposed today is for the government to design or endorse encryption systems that will cripple law enforcement when the technology migrates – as it surely will – to the private sector. And that alternative is simply irresponsible.”
Biography:Stewart Baker was described by The Washington Post (Nov. 20, 1995) as “one of the most techno-literate lawyers around.” Baker’s Washington, D.C., practice covered issues relating to digital commerce, electronic surveillance, encryption, privacy, national security and export controls. (Legislator/Politician/Lawyer.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1994
Topic of prediction: Communication
Subtopic: Security/Encryption
Name of publication: Wired
Title, headline, chapter name: Don’t Worry be Happy: Why Clipper is Good for You
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.eff.org/Privacy/Crypto/Key_escrow/Clipper/clipper_good_nsa.article
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Beckett, Angela