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Encryption law in Israel
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
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