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Interim Response from Philip Zimmermann

Posted by Roblimo on from the getting-out-of-hand dept.

The little No Regrets about PGP piece from Philip Zimmermann and the associated interview "call for questions" we ran on Sept. 24 seems to have stirred up quite a ruckus. Apparently online crypto has become such a hot button issue that it is impossible to hold a rational conversation on the topic right now. Because of this, instead of answering the interview questions, Philip sent us a brief statement. We'll try to interview him (and other crypto experts) later, after passions die down a bit.

Overreaction to Washington Post Article

It seems that my recent clarification of how I was represented in the 21 September Washington Post article has itself created a deluge of harsh criticism of the Washington Post and the reporter who wrote the article.

People seem to be assuming the Washington Post is part of some grand conspiracy to restrict the availability of strong cryptography. I would like to say that this is an overreaction and a misinterpretation on the part of these critics.

I believe this was an honest misunderstanding by the people at the Post, and I never meant to imply in my previous clarification that this was done on purpose or with any malicious intent. On the contrary, I believe the Post worked hard to be fair in the story and had the best of intentions when they ran it.

Further, I'd like to say that all the individual facts and quotes were reported correctly. But the Post connected the dots in a slightly different way to conclude that I was feeling guilty even though I was simply feeling grief and anger just like everyone else since the attacks occurred. Overall, I thought the article was fine except for that one line that says I was "overwhelmed with guilt."

My purpose for sending out my original clarification was not to criticize the Post but to assure everyone that I am still standing firm on my convictions that PGP and other strong encryption products should be available to the public, with no back doors.

Through the years of coverage the Post has given the issue of cryptography restrictions, I have never detected any bias at the Post to promote restrictions on crypto. In fact, if they have any bias at all, it seems to be in the other direction. They helped me when I needed to keep the Justice Department at bay in 1995. We will need them again in the coming weeks as we in the crypto community attempt to keep the freedoms we have, as legislators try to impose new restrictions on strong crypto.

I find this jihad of criticism of the Post to be inappropriate. I can easily tell from talking with the reporter that her intentions were good. It is grossly unfair to punish her with all this hate mail. It's embarrassing to me and damaging to her. If anyone in the world of journalism wants any further clarification from me on that reporter's competence or journalistic integrity, feel free to call me directly and I will explain it to you in more detail.

I am in London at a data security conference, without as much Internet access as I have at home, so I cannot keep writing about this matter for much longer. I hope this letter is enough to put this matter to rest.

Sincerely,
Philip Zimmermann

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: PGP 7.0.3

iQA/AwUBO7ILqcdGNjmy13leEQLryACfffYuStFXNTC0aWnJStMEAWsbQSgAn0ID d2bqoxnEbABk+1V/edlzC84A =uBHG
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

7 of 305 comments (clear)

  1. Philip why are you interested in cryptography?? by IainMH · · Score: 0, Funny

    Philip, why are you interested in cryptography??

    It seems that no-one understands you anyway so you might as well send everything as plain ASCII!

  2. Aren't back doors dangerous? by mrthoughtful · · Score: 5, Funny

    Nice to hear from you PZ.
    So how does a government restrict access to a back door?

    -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
    Version: PGP 8.0.0

    iQA/
    NSA-OPS:ThEBacKDoORPaSsWorDIS:LETMEIN:bAjmy13len CX XWnJPSJSIDEQLryACfBk+1V/edllzC84A =uBHG
    -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

    --
    This comment was written with the intention to opt out of advertising.
  3. Something that all terrorists use! by bflong · · Score: 3, Funny

    There is something we all need to stop...

    Somthing so vile that almost all terrorists, criminals, and other bad people use...

    Somthing that is so easy to get ahold of that anyone can get them.

    And that is... Pants! Yes, Pants! Just about every crime is commited by someone that is wearing pants! (unless you're in Scotland).

    We need to stop the insanity by cutting off the supply of pants to the world. Heaven forbid that somone commits a crime becouse it was so easy to get some pants.

    --
    Why is it so hot? Where am I going? What am I doing in this handbasket?
  4. OMIGOD by Hard_Code · · Score: 3, Funny

    Do you know what this **means**? They kidnapped Zimmerman and replaced him with a robot (Carnivore-enabled of course)!! I bet the Post and CIA are in some sort of wicked wicked collusion!! Fire up those mail bombers!

    --

    It's 10 PM. Do you know if you're un-American?
  5. Re:Is this really Phil? by Quila · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, he PGP signed it. You check it.

  6. Re:Professional Criticism by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    2+2 does equal 5
    2+2
    = 2+2+0
    = 2+2+0+0+0+0+0+0....etc
    = 2+2+(1-1)+(1-1)+(1-1)+....
    = 2+2+1-1+1-1+1-1+1-1+...
    = 2+2+1-(1-1)-(1-1)-(1-1)-...
    = 2+2+1-0-0-0...
    = 2+2+1
    = 5

  7. The real reason for no interview by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    We'll try to interview him (and other crypto experts) later, after passions die down a bit.

    Translation: Now that everyone is noticing crypto, his interview fee is going through the roof. We'll chat after the sheep go back to sleep.