[Cryptography] Statement from Attorney General William P., Barr on Introduction of Lawful Access Bill in Senate

[Bob Wilson]

Re:
> Encryption has never been regulated internally for almost all purposes. (Ham radio can't use encryption, but that's not only just for radio, but internationally it was. Even here, there are complexities that I can't describe both succinctly and accurately.)
 From what I have read the rule against encryption for hams (such as I 
am) was put in because around the time of WWI there was fear people (not 
just hams, if they are in fact people) were leaking information to 
Germany. Remember how much hatred of German emigres there was, leading 
people to change their names and quit speaking German where it had been 
the language spoken at home. I don't know whether there would be much 
opposition to removing the prohibition for hams now, but discussing that 
might lead us away into politics...
Bob Wilson (WA9D)