There are several scenarios for the future of encryption policy.  Only one side can prevail and see its arguments realized.  Who will "win" has yet to be seen.  Will it be those who favor restrictions? The White House, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, and those congressmen who support them.  Will it be those who oppose restrictions?  The ACLU, organizations such as ACP and CDT, and those congressmen who choose this side.  When the future is decided, likely one of these scenarios will emerge:

1. No restrictions.  All restrictions could be removed.  The greatest fear of the FBI in this matter could be realized.  Many citizens would be pleased with this outcome, having maintained complete control of their private commmunications.  Others would not be so pleased, seeing the power of their law enforcement officials greatly diminished.

2. Restrictions on exports only.  Strong encryption could be allowed on any and all domestic communications, but a limit could be placed on the strength of the encryption leaving the country.   While this would please most citizens, American corporations would suffer a setback in international commerce if they could not use strong encryption on their global communcations.   Law enforcement officials would not favor this scenario, because their surveillance capabilities would be diminished.

3.   Voluntary escrowed encryption.  The escrowed encryption standard could become the standard for voice, fax, and data communications.  While other encryption products would become available, they would fail to gain acceptence because they would fail to meet the demand for interoperability.  This would allow law enforcement officials to observe most communications.  If this standard was adopted globally, then the technology would become exportable.  Law enforcement officials would favor this scenario, but American corporations would gain only if the technology gained widespread acceptance.

4.  Mandatory escrowed encryption.  Although declared unconstitutional, this scenario might rear its head again in the future.  If the government can gain control of all encryption then it can enforce its own standard.  Law enforcement agents would have complete access to all communications, and would naturally favor this outcome.  However, a black market would certainly arise for those who desired more privacy.
 

Now that you have heard everything you need to know about encryption policy, it is time for you to choose a side.  So, make your choice about encryption restrictions:

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