Here are some minor corrections to the the non-technical writeup I posted earlier this evening. Note, that I also already corrected the typo regarding how the keys were constructed. Ignore the line numbers.. they'll be incorrect, as this is part of a larger article. FYI... -jeff Jeff Kellem Internet: composer@Beyond.Dreams.ORG ===CUT HERE=== *** /tmp/RCSA002047 Tue Apr 27 01:29:46 1993 --- whats-out-there-1.03.text Tue Apr 27 01:29:08 1993 *************** *** 188,203 **** important to the privacy of that same public. o it would seem that the Government might be granting a monopoly to ! Mykotronx, Inc. and VLSI Technology. It's unclear whether each ! company makes the entire chip or just parts thereof. o the key, which allows the information encrypted with this chip to be decrypted, is embedded in the chip [ This means that once the key is known, the chip needs to be ! replaced to maintain private communications. In other words, a new ! encryption device, if the key is ever divulged, which could just ! mean a wire-tap. ] o the 80-bit key is made from the xor of two (2) 80-bit keys, which are kept in databases at two different escrow agencies --- 188,206 ---- important to the privacy of that same public. o it would seem that the Government might be granting a monopoly to ! Mykotronx, Inc. and VLSI Technology. As far as I know, VLSI ! fabricates the chip and Mykotronx programs the keys into it. o the key, which allows the information encrypted with this chip to be decrypted, is embedded in the chip [ This means that once the key is known, the chip needs to be ! replaced to maintain private communications. This would usually ! mean replacing the entire device (e.g. telephone), anytime that ! the key was divulged, whether legally or not. The key is also ! transmitted along with your encrypted data, so that law enforcement ! can obtain it, which would allow them to decrypt your data without ! your knowledge. ] o the 80-bit key is made from the xor of two (2) 80-bit keys, which are kept in databases at two different escrow agencies *************** *** 223,235 **** for international distribution. On the other hand, there are too many things about the announcement which ! are bothersome and need to be discussed publicly. Some of these items ! have been mentioned above. I recommend talking with your local ! congressman, writing letters, and discussing this with friends. Both the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR) have made public statements ! against the announcement. The CPSR has filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests regarding the plan. Online discussions of the announcement have been occurring all over the --- 226,243 ---- for international distribution. On the other hand, there are too many things about the announcement which ! are bothersome and need to be discussed publicly. Some of these items have ! been mentioned above. The Clipper Chip basically seems like it might ! provide privacy from some people, but not from the government. I recommend ! talking with your local congressman, writing letters, and discussing this ! with friends. Both the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR) have made public statements ! against the announcement. The EFF supports the idea of reviewing ! cryptographic and privacy policies, but believes that the Clipper Chip ! announcement was premature and should be delayed until after the overall ! review and discussion. The CPSR has filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests regarding the plan. Online discussions of the announcement have been occurring all over the