A proper law

[Owen Lewis]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ukcrypto-admin@chiark.greenend.org.uk
> [mailto:ukcrypto-admin@chiark.greenend.org.uk]On Behalf Of Brian Gladman
> Sent: 08 March 2003 20:49
> To: ukcrypto@chiark.greenend.org.uk
> Subject: Re: A proper law
>
>
> From: "Owen Lewis" <oml@sysrx.uk.com>
> To: <ukcrypto@chiark.greenend.org.uk>
> Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2003 6:55 PM
> Subject: RE: A proper law
>
>
> > > http://www.cs.georgetown.edu/~denning/crypto/cases.html
> > >
> > > This is a bit old now but my guess is that it is still a
> > > reasonable summary
> > > of the position.
> >
> > As you say, Dorothy is always worth reading and listening to.
> However, in
> > this matter, her paper that you cite hardly justifies your opinion.
>
> What you mean here is that in _your opinion_ this paper does not
> justify _my
> opinion_.
>
> Lets us then agree to disagree.

Gladly, though my meaning remains mine own.

However, I don't think the question of adequate evidence of the level of use
or cracking of cipher systems by criminals should be passed over so lightly.

Good statistical evidence either exists or it does not. If it does exist, it
is material to discussions here and to inform the opinions of all who seek
to make or moderate law in the area of private ownership and use of
cryptographic systems. If it does not exist or is not made public, that in
itself is a matter for concern since law and regulations are being made and
should be made on an informed basis. Shall we not do what we can to obtain
the evidence and then examine it?

This must be my last post for a few days but I look forward to learning in
due course whether Simon Watkin is able to obtain the UK statistics for us
and whether others can point to sources for the statistics of other
countries.

Owen