Cryptography laws in different nations
Encyclopedia
Cryptography
is the practice and study of hiding information
. There are many different cryptography laws in different nations. Some countries prohibit export of cryptography software and/or encryption algorithms or cryptoanalysis methods. In some countries a license is required to use encryption software, and a few countries ban citizens from encrypting their internet communication. Some countries require decryption keys to be recoverable in case of a police investigation.
Cryptography
Cryptography is the practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of third parties...
is the practice and study of hiding information
Information
Information in its most restricted technical sense is a message or collection of messages that consists of an ordered sequence of symbols, or it is the meaning that can be interpreted from such a message or collection of messages. Information can be recorded or transmitted. It can be recorded as...
. There are many different cryptography laws in different nations. Some countries prohibit export of cryptography software and/or encryption algorithms or cryptoanalysis methods. In some countries a license is required to use encryption software, and a few countries ban citizens from encrypting their internet communication. Some countries require decryption keys to be recoverable in case of a police investigation.
France
As of 2011 and since 2004, the law for trust in the digital economy (LCEN) mostly liberalized the use of cryptography. Especially:- As long as cryptography is only used for authentication and integrity purposes, it can be freely used. The cryptographic key or the nationality of the entities involved in the transaction do not matter. Typical e-business websites fall under this liberalized regime.
- For other uses, exportation and importation to or from foreign countries must be either declared (when the other country if a member of the European Union) or requires an explicit authorization (for other countries).
See also
- Official Secrets ActOfficial Secrets ActThe Official Secrets Act is a stock short title used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, India and Malaysia and formerly in New Zealand for legislation that provides for the protection of state secrets and official information, mainly related to national security.-United Kingdom:*The Official Secrets...
- (United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, Malaysia and formerly New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
) - Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, regulating the powers of public bodies to carry out surveillance and investigation, and covering the interception of communications...
(United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
) - Restrictions on the Import of CryptographyRestrictions on the import of cryptographyHistorically, a number of countries have attempted to restrict the import of cryptography tools. This article aims to keep a record of current restrictions on the import of cryptographic into countries...
- Export of cryptographyExport of cryptographyThe export of cryptography in the United States is the transfer from the United States to another country of devices and technology related to cryptography....
- Key disclosure lawKey disclosure lawKey disclosure laws, also known as mandatory key disclosure, is legislation that require individuals to surrender cryptographic keys to law enforcement. The purpose is to allow access to material for confiscation or digital forensics purposes and use it either as evidence in a court of law or to...
- United States v. BoucherUnited States v. BoucherIn re Boucher, No. 2:06-mj-91, 2009 WL 424718, is a federal criminal case in Vermont, which was the first to address directly the question of whether a person can be compelled to reveal his or her encryption passphrase or password, despite the U.S. Constitution's Fifth Amendment protection against...
on right of criminal defendant not to reveal passphrase