CCIA Encouraged by Senator Gregg's Abandonment of Encryption Restrictions

Washington, D.C. – The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) is pleased to learn that a spokesman for Senator Judd Gregg (R-New Hampshire) has indicated the Senator will not be offering anti-encryption legislation. This decision comes in the wake of a CCIA letter detailing why such a proposal would be unwise and counterproductive.
“We are happy to learn that Senator Gregg has decided against efforts to implement new controls on encryption technology,” said Jason Mahler, CCIA Vice President and General Counsel. He continued, “Encryption ensures secure, authenticated, trusted communications and digital asset protection, and safeguards our public and private networks. Government restrictions on this technology would do little to protect against terrorism and would create a wide variety of new security risks to our critical communications and technology infrastructure.”
Mahler concluded, “Encryption is the only way businesses and individuals can interact with one another in a secure, networked environment. Without strong encryption technology, all Americans would be at risk of exposure of their most sensitive information. We are glad that Congress will not seek to undermine this critical security technology.”