The evaluation of the adequacy of self-regulation to protect privacy should be a primary goal of this conference. The Administration has recommended self-regulation to protect privacy in lieu of other policies and approaches. Many believe that the policy has not succeeded and that stronger steps, including legislation, should be considered. With the the July 1st deadline for a report to the President approaching, now would be the right time to determine whether in fact self-regulation has worked. Cryptography should be a central issue at a White House conference on Internet Privacy.
Encryption is critical to the future of on-line privacy.
Without some consideration of the use of cryptography to protect privacy, the meeting will lack credibility and the proposals discussed will necessarily be incomplete. Encryption policy is particularly relevant because the Department of Commerce currently exercises export control over the distribution of encryption products and will be issuing rules on the use of encryption by federal agencies later this year. We also expect that some discussion of the importance of anonymity will be included in the conference program. The White House has made a commendable commitment to openness and accountability in the development of Internet policy. While we have not always agreed on the outcomes produced, the process has inspired confidence that the Administration is genuinely interested in all points of view.