Why is the United States revising its encryption export policy?
This rule updates our mass market encryption policies, consistent with global policy developments, and clarifies existing procedures and requirements for other types of dual-use encryption items. Our major trading and security partners, such as the European Union, Japan and other member nations of the Wassenaar Arrangement, also have updated their mass market encryption export control policies. The guiding principles for U.S. encryption export control policy have not changed. The policy continues to rest on three tenets: a review of encryption products in advance of sale, a streamlined post-export reporting system that takes into account differing distribution models, and review of certain exports to foreign government end-users. This rule will continue to protect our national security and foreign policy interests without impairing the ability of U.S. companies to compete effectively in global markets.
