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Germany Frees Crypto

Posted by Hemos on from the usa-needs-to-follow-the-leader dept.

marlon shakespeare writes "The German cabinet today released a policy statement on the unrestricted use of encryption. Unfortunately the article's in German but the rought gist of it is available in English. " Hopefully some certain other countries will follow the German lead on this one.

1 of 85 comments (clear)

  1. Slightly fuller translation by Alistair+Cunningham · · Score: 4

    This is a translation by Thomas Roessler, roessler@guug.de, as posted to the ukcrypto mailing list. Many thanks to him.

    1. The Federal Government does not plan to limit the free
    availability of encryption products in Germany. It considers the
    application of secure encryption to be a crucial requirement for
    the citizens' privacy, for the development of electronic
    commerce, and for the protection of business secrets. The
    Federal Government will therfore actively support the
    distribution of secure encryption. This includes in particular
    increasing the security consciousness of citizens, business, and
    administration.

    2. The Federal Government strives for strengthening users' trust in
    the security of encryption. It will therefore take measures to
    create a framework for trustworthy secure encryption, in
    particular by improving the possibilities for reviewing
    encryption products for their security, and by recommending the
    use of reviewed products.

    3. For reasons of national security, and the security of business
    and society, the Federal Government considers the ability of
    German manufacturers to develop and manufacture secure and
    efficient encryption products indispensible. It will take
    measures to strenghten the international competitiveness of this
    sector.

    4. The spreading of strong encryption must not undermine the legal
    possibilities of prosecution and security authorities [police and
    intelligence communities may be a better translation]. The
    responsible Federal Ministries will cautiously watch the
    development and present a report after two years. Additionally,
    the Federal Government will work on improving the technical
    skills of prosecution and security authorities.

    5. The Federal Government attaches importance to international
    cooperation on encryption policy. It encourages market-driven,
    open standards and interoperable systems and will work to
    strengthen multilateral and bilateral cooperation.