us NOT easing export controls (Re: US to Ease Crypto Export)

[Joe Decillis]

At 10:28 AM 7/8/98 +0100, Adam Back wrote:
>
>This press release by US bureau of export administration that they are
>easing export controls is misleading.
>
>It is not meaningful: the export permits are limited to banks and
>financial institutions, and they have always had export requests
>granted based on an exemption for financial institutions.  Nothing new
>there.
>
>Even some time ago now, PGP Inc made a big press release about getting
>export permission for top Furtune 100 companies (large international
>companies) to export to overseas sales offices PGP (full strength).
>
>The only thing that the US BXA is announcing is streamlining the
>red-tape involved in already unhindered financial exports.
>
That's really all they are doing is eliminating some red-tape for some
banks and financial institutions based in 45 countries.  Instead of asking
for an individual license every time, they will let it fall under an
Encryption Licensing Arrangement, base on their definition of approved
banks and financial institutions.  However, we have been told insurance
companies will not be covered.  It may not be as wide spread for financial
institutions as it might appear.
Joe Decillis
From across the big pond.  

>Joe Decillis makes this point also, I agree!
>
>> Although it can be considered an easing of US Crypto Export policy,
>> many of the banks and financial institutions do and have qualify,
>> under individual licenses, for high levels(over 56-bit) of
>> encryption.
>
>
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