The filings at the FCC are an effort to secure rights to operate in a certain section of the radio spectrum. Private money is a big part of the political system and if you try to suppress it in one place, it will show up somewhere else. And you can't limit spending to communicate with voters without violating the First Amendment. Most donations come from individuals who are far from superrich and surveys suggest that households with below median incomes give larger preportion of their money than those who are better off. The widespread use of uncrackable encryption will devastate our ability to fight crime and prevent terrorism.
Law enforcement is only the part that steps in when all else fails.
Prevention is the job of the average person, and in the private sector, where everyday people live, where a failed deal can destroy a business, secure encryption is as necessary as a wall safe, a strongbox and a trustworthy bank. In the race to control this emerging market, European companies are taking the lead. Ericsson, for example, is already running tests on cellular phone links that allow for video confercing. N.T.T.'s investment will allow Teligent to increase competition in local markets. Benton Foundation, 1997.