As encryption standards become recognized and widely used, more individuals will be able to adopt encryption technology to assist them in electronic commerce. The code was originally designed for digital mobile phones and works by scrambling a caller's words electronically during transmission, and then the phone-company computer descrambles the message. The public availability of strong encryption is a double-edged sword. The accessibility of strong encryption systems compromises the ability of the government to monitor communications. On the other hand, strong cryptography protects and encourages U.S. electronic commerce which leads to stronger economic strength, which is also critical to U.S. security.
Some governments limit or restrict the use of cryptography.
For example, France does not permit the use of encryption unless the algorithm has been registered with the French government. Private use of encryption is illegal in South Korea, Taiwan, and the People's Republic of China. It is conceivable that by restricting the use of encryption, all information sent into and outside of a country could be subject to censure. It will only take one well-publicized disaster on the Internet to deter individuals and businesses from using the Internet as a form of commerce. Information technology companies say that it is safer now to conduct business over the Internet than it is to make a credit-card purchase over the phone.