Article Abstract:
On Thursday, Jun 27, 1991, the government announced its plans for a new standard for authenticating electronic data, to be introduced in the summer of 1991. RSA Data Security Inc (Redwood City, CA), which is the computer software industry's leading supplier of software that protects data, responded angrily to the government's announcement. According to RSA Data Security, the government has not addressed fears about special mechanisms called 'trapdoors' that allow law enforcement or intelligence operatives to look at private data. Earlier in 1991 an anti-terrorism bill was introduced into Congress that would have permitted representatives of Federal agencies to look at private data, but the idea was dropped when extensive opposition was encountered. Government officials now say that the government's proposed standard will be available for technical experts to examine so the experts can decide for themselves whether the standard is suitable. The Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, however, expresses its 'legitimate concern about the role the N.S.A. (National Security Agency) might play in the development of such a standard.'
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Article Abstract:
Publishers are interested in electronic technologies, which continue to evolve and become more powerful. Low-power computer chips, colored flat-panel video displays, long-lasting batteries and improved software are some of the technologies that cause publishers to sense opportunities and to fear that others might take advantage of them first. How and in what form new products will appear is not yet certain. Bookmark, a kind of electronic book, is one possibility. Bookmark, which is being developed by Nathaniel Lande at his new company, Booklink, is described as a flat screen with buttons for turning pages. Sony Corp wants to establish a standard so that electronic books would be playable on the company's Data Discman. Voyager Company, Santa Monica, CA, is working on electronic books that incorporate sound and animations. Voyager's products, which use 'hypertext' links, will run on the Apple Macintosh.
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Article Abstract:
Several major US computer companies including Apple, Sun Microsystems and Microsoft Corp are fiercely battling the US government's proposed legislation to further control encryption techniques. Encryption involves the application of coding technology to software, ensuring that data is secure and confidential. The technology has been applied to cellular phones, electronic memos, medical records, corporate payroll, television programs and automated teller machines. Congress would like to grant more control to officials, while businesses believe that the control over encryption will hamper technological innovation and hurt US industry. Government officials maintain that administrative costs and inconveniences may be the prices paid for national security.
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