Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 20:04:21 -0500 (EST)
Message-Id: <199902270104.UAA03848@belmonte.ne.mediaone.net>
From: belmonte@mit.edu (Matthew Belmonte)
To: CapuanoHR8@aol.com
Subject: support the Security and Freedom through Encryption Act

I write, as your constituent, to express my support of the Security and Freedom 
through Encryption Act (SAFE), recently reintroduced for this Congress by Bob
Goodlatte and Zoe Lofgren.  By outlawing the Commerce Department's ban on the
export of strong encryption, SAFE will put encryption technology where it
belongs, in the hands of the people.  

The concern of the Clinton Administration is that freely exportable encryption
technology would come into the possession of terrorists and other criminals.
In fact, banning exports does little to harm international terrorists, since 
terrorists are already operating outside the law and exporting a piece of
software via a computer network is a trivial task.  The export ban does have
effects here at home, though: by isolating the American software industry from
world markets, it does increasing harm to American business.

The current policy does nothing to hinder terrorism.  Instead, it hurts 
business and threatens individual privacy.  SAFE would remedy this
regrettable situation.