SAFE Act - H.R. 695

Title.  Security and Freedom through Encryption Act (SAFE).

Sponsors.  Rep Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).   There area approximately 250 other co-sponsors.

Summary. While most bills give powers to government, and constrain private activity, HR 695 IH is odd in that it would limit government power, and place no restrictions on individuals.  It would prevents the government from regulating encryption.   This bill affirms Americans' freedom to use the strongest possible encryption, and to compete in the international market for strong encryption products.  This bill would defeat attempts by the FBI to require people to provide the government with some government-approved "third party" with "keys" to their encrypted information.

Status.  This bill is stalled in the House.

History with Links to Documents, Stories, and other Materials.

• HR 695 IH introduced 2/12/97.

Other Resources.

• Related bills: S 377 (Pro CODE), S 2067 (E-Privacy).
• Senator Burns' Crypto Policy Webpage.
• Several groups which support strong encryption have websites which contain considerable materials pertaining to the issues and history of encryption legislation proposals.  See for example:
• Electronic Privacy Information Center.
• Electronic Frontier Foundation.
• Center for Democracy and Technology - Crypto Policy Page.  CDT is a non-profit group which advocates civil liberties issues. Jim Dempsey, Senior Staff Counsel, and Alan Davidson, Staff Counsel, 202-637-9800.  Encryption Privacy Resource Page.  Another website provided by the CDT.
• Americans for Computer Privacy.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation.
• Freeh testimony on encryption before Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, 1/28/98.