But ACP opposes government proposals to increase widespread monitoring or surveillance. Importantly, ACP believes that the government must proceed cautiously and should not rush to pass new legislation. We are concerned about the possibility of overreaction to recent denial of service attacks and Internet viruses. Such an overreaction could generate new laws or regulations which would stifle innovation, harm the very infrastructure that needs protection, and threaten the privacy rights of Americans at work and at home. Security Encryption is the essential technological ingredient that can ensure the confidentiality, privacy, and authenticity of information.
Encryption helps prevent cyber crime and promotes our national security.
During the last two years, ACP led the private-sector's effort to permit the widespread use of strong American encryption products in order to protect privacy, promote national security, and prevent crime. With strong Congressional support, we succeeded in persuading the Administration to relax export controls on encryption products. We commend the Administration on its change in encryption export policy. However, the Administration still requires both licensing and a classification and technical review process for encryption exports. The EU essentially created a license-free zone for EU members and another ten countries.