Secure e-mail is yours for a price

In July, 13 major technology companies interested in exporting more hardware and software proposed to the Commerce Department an alternative to the back-door plan. The new plan, labeled a "private doorbell" approach, calls for network operators to use filters at the server to cull from the network traffic any files or messages subject to court order. This would keep government agents from having to crack open encrypted network traffic. Initial White House reaction was that the proposal merited consideration; there was no official response before press time.

Meanwhile, Commerce recently relaxed restrictions on sales of encrypted data products to financial institutions in 45 nations. The move is an effort to encourage use of electronic commerce while keeping strong encryption out of the hands of criminals and terrorists.