here is the letter i sent my senators and representative, w/ a copy to clinton and gore. don't forget to write yours. peter =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= April 26, 1993 I'm writing to share my concern about the White House announcement of April 16, 1993, which provides for wiretap ability in telecommunica- tions networks and wireless communications links. The particulars of the announcement are not in and of themselves altogether alarming, but the implication is that this is just a foot in the door: Q: If the Administration were unable to find a technological solution like the one proposed, would the Administration be willing to use legal remedies to restrict access to more powerful encryption devices? A: This is a fundamental policy question which will be considered during the broad policy review. Thanks to the widespread use of software that provides for information protection and privacy, the most common "powerful encryption device" is the personal computer. The suggestion that computers and software in everyday use be declared contraband worries me. But at a more fundamental level, I am concerned about the right to privacy. Privacy in the modern day means information privacy: keeping to oneself computerized data about oneself. Because encryption is widely regarded by computer security experts as the only effective means of ensuring computer privacy, the White House's "broad policy review" promises to examine whether citizens should have the right to determine whether and how to provide for their own privacy. Your voice is needed in this debate. I hope that when the question is raised whether the government should hold exclusive rights to the protection of individual privacy, or whether the people should hold that right to themselves, you will stand on the side of the people. Sincerely yours,