EU Draft Digital Signature Directive

[Campaign Against Censorship of the Internet]

> It occurs to me that the DTI has two distinct roles in crypto policy:
> 1. As the lead department in setting an overall position on behalf of all
> governments departments.
> 
> 2. As the department that identifies and fights for the policy it sees as
> necessary to support UK commerce and industry.
> 
> In the light of Nigel's comment I wonder if he would be prepared to state
> the DTI position in respect of item 2.  

Unfortunately, due to the way our government works in this country (collective 
responsibility and all that) no one in government is _allowed_ to state publicly 
anything other than the official line, even if they wanted to. 

That's not to say I necessarily accept that Nigel is the still small voice 
protecting us from the spooks excesses. However, previous writer's 
suggestions that responsibility for crypto be moved to the FCO would actually 
be counter-productive; the higher status of FCO and "national security" would 
mean that it would be politicically unacceptable for FCO to lose the argument. 
The DTI on the other hand, is much more capable of having its mind changed.

Regards,

Malcolm.

P.S. Everyone, give Nigel a break when he cracks a joke. It must be miserable 
enough being the mouthpiece for the Beast.

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