Phil Zimmerman Addresses Encryption Issues in US Terrorism Investigations

Godfather of encryption Phil Zimmerman has responded to attacks directed at him over the use of encryption software in the terrorist attacks on the US. Zimmerman, who created the Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) encryption software a decade ago, apparently came . . . Godfather of encryption Phil Zimmerman has responded to attacks directed at him over the use of encryption software in the terrorist attacks on the US. Zimmerman, who created the Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) encryption software a decade ago, apparently came under fire from some members of the internet community after it emerged that the US Government is investigating whether PGP, or a similar technology, was used by the hijackers to co-ordinate the attacks securely.

As a result of the investigation, the US authorities are calling for tougher restrictions on the recently relaxed encryption laws. Some have argued that, although encryption is designed to protect people's privacy, in the wrong hands it can be used to protect malicious plans. One example of the hate mail received by Zimmerman read: "Phil - I hope you can sleep at night with the blood of 5000 people on your hands."

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