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Wouldn't it be illegal for an American company to export strong encryption to Iran? At least, that's the gist I get from the JCE unlimited strength policy file. If not illegal, it would definitely go against the agreement for distribution of that.


Historically, clearly so. But since 2010 there has been a "General License" for exporting "Personal Communication Services" technology (essentially based on the idea that individuals' communication weakens the government's hold on society, or, as OFAC put it, "are a vital tool for change").

http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/D...

I don't know how the General License applies to cryptographic technology in particular. Paging Collin Anderson...


I do know there are requirements that need to be met for exportation of cryptography [0]. Interesting fact related to this: Strong crypto used to be considered a weapon. This is why the DVD standard is 40 bits (iirc, it's possibly 64 bits).

0: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Export_of_cryptography_from_the...




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