NSA decides what exports to approve. Does not approve more secure systems. US software makers cannot efficiently distribute two version of products, so they use the weaker, exportable version. The export restrictions result in weaker encryption being used by American businesses and individuals. Products produced for export are less competitive with those of foreign companies that use the better encryption techniques.
Secure encryption is needed for commerce on the Internet.
Internet businesses complain that the export restrictions are slowing the growth of international electronic commerce. Individual consequences to travelers with laptops. US policies outdated Unilateral US exports keep US firms from competing in global marketplace Banning information Restrictions placed on communications in wartime. Two questions arise from this history. As more people began using encryption, the govt used export control and its influence in setting an encryption standard to pressure industry to adopt encryption schemes the NSA could break.