Professional and voluntary associations, accountants, solicitors, trade unions, and financial and commercial brands have valuable goodwill and fiduciary relationships established over many years with their clients, members, and customers. None should be discouraged from participation as CAs, if they can reinforce existing social and commercial trust networks. Attempts to control the use of encryption technology are wrong in principle, unworkable in practice, and damaging to the long-term economic value of the information networks. Furthermore, the rate of change of technology and the ease with which ideas or computer software can be disseminated over the Internet and other networks make technical solutions unworkable. Adequate controls can be put in place based around current laws covering search and seizure and the disclosure of information.
Law enforcement is primarily interested in tracing contacts.
Traffic analysis of messages will provide this, together with the permanent records and co-operation of legitimate organizations. In anticipation of the Labour Government honouring its commitment against escrow in Communicating Britain s Future , these groups remain a loose coalition. There is nothing economically to be gained, and large technical and commercial risks, in attempting to pioneer escrow legislation. Unilateral escrow legislation will make the UK uncompetitive and unattractive to inward investment. Legislation to clarify recognition of digital signatures is necessary, but licensing Certification Authorities is not.