Federal officials seek Internet encryption codes

Under federal law, computer users have a reasonable expectation of privacy when browsing the Internet and sending e-mail, but federal officials want to make their investigations easier by getting the keys to the codes that can encrypt Internet transmissions. Authorities would use the code under the same circumstances it reads someone's e-mail, namely, with a warrant.

The dispute over the encryption of e-mail and other online activity is still brewing. A bill is before the House of Representatives. Currently, federal law treats advanced encryption software like munitions, restricting its export. But law enforcement agencies want a method that would allow them to decode encrypted messages quickly. FBI Director Louis Freeh asked members of a congressional subcommittee in September to outlaw "unbreakable" encryption technology. (November 4, 1997)

White House paging system is not secure

Hackers who reputedly intercepted messages from the White House paging system on April 27, 1997, have been circulating the messages on the Web. Although the validity of the messages has not been confirmed, White House workers have been instructed that the pager system is not secure. (September 22, 1997)

Bill calls for greater Net and cell phone privacy protection

A bill has been introduced to Congress that would bar companies from disclosing or using people’s medical or financial records that are available online. The bill would also require companies to adopt guidelines to protect user privacy when personal information is collected from them online for marketing purposes.

A separate bill would increase penalties against people who eavesdrop on cellular telephone conversations and then pass the contents to another party. The bill would also render illegal the modifying of a radio scanner to pick up cellular phone calls. (September 3, 1997)

Experts crack digital cellular phone code

Using information found on the Internet, computer security experts cracked a code that protects the privacy of calls made with new digital cellular phones. Breaking the code would allow someone to scan hundreds of wireless channels for calls miles away. The industry committee that oversees cellular phone privacy is working to solve the problem. (September 2, 1997)

Interception of pager messages prosecuted for the first time

Federal prosecutors have filed charges against a group that intercepted pager messages to the New York mayor’s office and to the fire and police departments. The group then relayed the messages to news organizations. In the first ever prosecution of interception of pager messages, the group is charged with violating the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. (August 28, 1997)