Restrictions resulting from concern for national security may be eroding First Amendment protections. Scientists will be denied the freedom to express and discuss developing technologies. Future legal cases will continue to raise objections based on free speech issues. In turn, the courts will be challenged to develop and redefine free speech doctrines in determining whether our current policies are overbroad in dealing with national security issues. Software developers argue that alternate forms of control could better serve security interests.
Technology currently exists to control access to Internet distribution sites.
The market forces of global economy have increased pressures on information technology. Increasing demand for development of encryption software will only accelerate. These technologies are already available outside the United States. Market forces will also increase the demand for this software to be freely distributed over the Internet. The availability of encryption codes will encourage a larger population of users to encrypt communications and will provide businesses worldwide a way to conduct transactions securely.