Clipping Clipper

Encryption technology is approaching the point that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is afraid it will eliminate the bureau's ability to listen to telephone conversations through court-authorized wiretaps. The FBI and its allies in the intelligence community have persuaded President Clinton to pursue a course that would require building into the computer/telephone network of the future the Clipper chip, an encryption device with applications in telephones and other computer network peripherals. The Clipper method requires escrowing user encryption keys with 2 trusted authorities. If these authorities are in-government, executive-branch entities, there will be a further erosion of the power of Congress to establish public policy. The Clinton administration should postpone the introduction of Clipper, and Congress should require a serious, open, public review of the issues and options facing society.