Cryptographic systems are now available around the world.
This algorithm was designed in Europe, and is widely used in Europe as a 128 bit algorithm. Some companies even import to the United States programs that use the full strength algorithm. If I write a program that uses IDEA, to export that product I can only use 40 bits. I can't compete against the foreign competition because of US laws. We are losing our technical advantage on the Internet because software vendors are unable to provide the real security that is needed for online commerce.