Intel, Hewlett-Packard, and Microsoft revealed Monday a framework for exporting encryption. Despite the much-heralded announcement that followed President Clinton's executive order Friday to liberalize its encryption policy, close watchers of the policy are still wondering about its most basic issue: privacy.
Under the framework, domestic encryption software would be the same whether it's sold domestically or overseas. The International Cryptology Framework is designed to meet constantly changing rules governing so-called "strong encryption," HP president Lewis Platt said.
Privacy advocates weren't impressed. "From a privacy point of view, this does not change anything," said Alan Davidson, staff counsel of the Center for Democracy and Technology. "The process is still dominated by the law-enforcement community."
Stewart Baker, an attorney who follows encryption issues closely, agrees there's little change behind the fanfare. "The executive order has made plain to everyone what insiders knew for months: The transfer would not significantly change the rules of most crypto exports."
