Fourth, the export control restrictions for computer network technology and cryptography should be relaxed. The cost of export control restrictions are enormous. Moreover, foreign companies are often able to obtain these products from other sources. And one result of export restrictions is that US manufacturers are less likely to develop privacy-protecting products for the domestic market. As our country becomes increasingly dependent on computer communications for all forms of business and personal communication, the need to ensure the privacy and security of these messages that travel along the networks grows.
Cryptography is the most important technological safeguard for ensuring privacy and security.
We believe that the general public should be able to use this technology free of government restrictions. There is a great opportunity today for the United States to play a leadership role in promoting communications privacy. We hope to begin this process by this call for a reevaluation of our national interest in cryptography and privacy.