[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: Encryption law in Israel
As i know the highest encryption allowed is the most simplest 40 bit Encryption.
Nadav Har'El wrote:
> Hi guys!
>
> A system administrator told me today that he was required by Israeli
> law to use only the DES encryption option of ssh (the weakest ssh encryption,
> which is by default not compiled in because it's so weak), and that other
> encryptions supported by ssh (idea, 3des, etc.) are too powerful
> and are not allowed by this law. He referred to a law called "Chok Hazofen".
>
> Has anybody heard of this law? What does it really say? I bet it doesn't
> mention SSH, DES, RSA, etc. specifically. Is this a normal law, or some
> sort of "emergency"/"military" law?
>
> I can't even begin to express my outrage at such a law if one does exist.
> It is (in my non-lawyer opinion) contradictory to "chok yesod cvod headam
> vecherotu". The government can try to convince people to use its "recommended"
> communication methods (see the "clipper chip" fiasco in the US), but
> forcing law-abiding citizens a method of communication between themselves
> is completely contradictory to the freedom of speech principle.
>
> I guess such a law might be designed so that the police (or the shabac)
> can eavesdrop on people without fearing people will use encryption - but
> remember that the criminals or spies who the police want to eavesdrop on
> can still use encryption - they don't care breaking another law! And since
> encryption continues to be legal abroad, and software download is almost
> uncontrollable, these criminals will always get whatever encryption program
> they want. (and don't jump here comparing this to gun control: guns are
> created to HARM other people, whatever you call that harm (self defense, etc.),
> so the government should have a right to control their use).
>
> Compare such a law to the following absurd idea: several times in the past
> police (in Israel and abroad) had trouble to get into houses where someone
> was baracaded (and holding hostages, etc.). Wouldn't it have been much
> simpler for them if "soragim" on windows, guard dogs, etc., were illegal?
> After all, aren't these things just a way for a citizen to avoid being
> invaded by the police? NO!
>
> If such a "zofen law" does exist, we should start a campaign to repeal it!
>
> --
> Nadav Har'El | ###### ######## # | <-- Sorry if
> Email: nyh@math.technion.ac.il | # # # | you can't
> Department of Mathematics, Technion | # # # | read Hebrew.
> Israel Institute of Technology | ######## # ###### | Nadav. ;)
> WWW page: http://harel.org.il/nadav ICQ #13349191
>
> =================================================================
> To unsubscribe, send mail to linux-il-request@linux.org.il with
> the word "unsubscribe" in the message body, e.g., run the command
> echo unsubscribe | mail linux-il-request@linux.org.il
--
--------------------------
Canaan Surfing Ltd.
Internet Service Providers
Ben-Nes Michael - Manager
Tel: 972-6-6925757
Fax: 972-6-6925858
http://www.canaan.co.il
--------------------------
=================================================================
To unsubscribe, send mail to linux-il-request@linux.org.il with
the word "unsubscribe" in the message body, e.g., run the command
echo unsubscribe | mail linux-il-request@linux.org.il