[IWAR] GILC report on crypto controls; Encryption restrictions in

From: Mark Hedges (hedgesat_private)
Date: Sat Feb 07 1998 - 12:43:11 PST

  • Next message: Mark Hedges: "[IWAR] SPAIN biometric project 45% complete"

    >Date: Mon, 9 Feb 1998 10:37:14 -0800 (PST)
    >From: Declan McCullagh <declanat_private>
    >To: politechat_private
    >Subject: FC: Encryption restrictions in Singapore
    >X-URL: Politech is at http://www.well.com/~declan/politech/
    >
    >[I believe GILC categorized Singapore as a country with domestic
    >restrictions on encryption because the import restrictions were so
    >draconian. On page five, graf 1 the report includes it in the same
    >category with Belarus, China, etc. --Declan]
    >
    >***********
    >
    >Date: Tue, 10 Feb 1998 02:04:24 +0800 (SGT)
    >From: Harish Pillay <harishat_private>
    >Reply-To: harishat_private
    >To: declanat_private
    >Subject: Re: FC: Report finds few countries with encryption restrictions
    >
    >> The GILC report, written by Wayne Madsen:
    >>
    >>  http://www.gilc.org/crypto/crypto-survey.html
    >>
    >> An article about the report:
    >>
    >>  http://www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/week/020998encryption.html
    >>
    >> Among the countries that responded to the survey, GILC found only Belarus,
    >> China, Israel, Pakistan, Russia and Singapore have rules controlling the
    >> *domestic* use of encryption. This is what the FBI has proposed. Many
    >> more, such as the U.S., have controls on the *export* of encryption.
    >
    >huh?  Singapore has rules for domestic use of encryption?  News to me.  The
    >only restriction is in the import and use of *hardware* for encryption for
    >other than banks.  Nothing is there to stop me from using software to do the
    >exact same thing.  I reckon we have to be really clear of exactly what the
    >other countries are themselves advocating.
    >
    >I regularly use ssh to get into my Linux machines across the net within
    >Singapore and outside-in.
    >
    >Regards.
    >--
    >Harish Pillay                             	  h.pillayat_private
    >Singapore      *** Ask me about Linux *** http://home.pacific.net.sg/~harish
    >
    >***********
    >
    >Date: Mon, 9 Feb 1998 13:20:20 -0500
    >From: "David L. Sobel" <sobelat_private>
    >To: Declan McCullagh <declanat_private>
    >Subject: Re: FC: Report finds few countries with encryption restrictions (fwd)
    >
    >The report is based upon information received from the
    >relevant governments, unless otherwise noted.  With respect
    >to Singapore, we relied upon such official information.
    >
    >>From the report:
    >
    >  According to the Singapore Trade Development Board:
    >
    >  "The import of scrambler, or encryption hardware or software
    >  capable of re-arranging signs, signals, writing, sounds, or
    >  intelligence for the purpose of secrecy is controlled by the Trade
    >  Development Board (TBD) under the First Schedule of the Regulation
    >  of Imports and Exports Regulations 1995."
    >
    >  "Prior written approval from the TDB must be obtained before the
    >  import is allowed into Singapore. To apply for the import
    >  approval, an importer is required to complete the 'Application to
    >  Import Encryption Hardware/Software' and submit it to the TDB for
    >  consideration. TDB requires the importer to furnish the technical
    >  specifications of the encryptor and to provide the end-user's
    >  justification for the use of the encryptor. The importer must be a
    >  company incorporated or registered in Singapore."
    >
    >  "TDB will notify the importer in writing of the outcome of his
    >  Application. If the importer is allowed, the importer should also
    >  apply for a license from the Telecommunications Authority of
    >  Singapore (TAS), Licensing Department, to use the encryptor (for
    >  hardware only)."
    >
    >  This information was contained in a letter to EPIC from Ms. Ruby
    >  Goh, Trade Officer in the Imports and Exports Office. No mention
    >  was made of export controls. There do not, therefore, seem to be
    >  export controls in place in Singapore.
    >
    >  Similarly, no mention was made of domestic use controls, although
    >  the rigidity of the import controls indicate that domestic freedom
    >  of use is severely restricted.
    >
    >  Ref: Singapore Trade Development Board fax dated August 11, 1997.
    >
    >Any discrepancy should be taken up with the Singapore Trade
    >Development Board.
    >
    >- David
    >
    >
    >--------------------------------------------------------------------------
    >POLITECH -- the moderated mailing list of politics and technology
    >To subscribe: send a message to majordomoat_private with this text:
    >subscribe politech
    >More information is at http://www.well.com/~declan/politech/
    >--------------------------------------------------------------------------
    >
    



    This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Fri Apr 13 2001 - 13:04:56 PDT