Reaction Of Senator Patrick Leahy To The Administration's Announcement Of New Proposed Legislation To Update Wiretapping Laws and Encryption Rules

July 17, 2000

"The Administration is right to focus attention on privacy from government snooping and to further relax current restrictions on encryption exports. I have introduced legislation that would accomplish those goals. Firms and individuals both should have the widest choice of encryption tools for the privacy and security they want and that best fit their needs. Today's announcement also shows that the White House understands that current laws are not even-handed when it comes to privacy. Internet users deserve basic privacy safeguards whether they get their Internet access from an Internet service provider, their cable company or their local phone company.

"I particularly applaud the Administration's support for revising the pen register and trap and trace laws to ensure that judges can review the factual justification for the use of these electronic surveillance tools. This is another change I have proposed in pending legislation, and I share the Administration's hope that we can resolve this issue in this Congress. "I have questions about whether the White House's suggestion to expand federal criminal jurisdiction over even minor computer abuses is the right way to go, but I look forward to continuing to work with them and others on these issues."

[Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), long a leader on Internet and on privacy issues, is the author of the most comprehensive Internet privacy bill before Congress, the E-RIGHTS Act (S.854). He is the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.]