Zimmermann hits back at 'terrorist aid' accusations

Phil Zimmermann, the inventor of PGP encryption software, has hit back at people who sent him vicious hatemail after the World Trade Center attacks.

The offensive emails blamed Zimmermann, and encryption software in general, for aiding and abetting the terrorist attacks.

It is widely assumed, though not proven, that the terrorists responsible for planning and carrying out the attacks used secure, encrypted messages. This has led to the questioning of the wide availability of encryption software, as advocated and written by people such as Zimmermann.

Speaking to silicon.com, the security guru said: "You know I feel bad about this tragedy and it certainly made me re-examine my position on cryptography but re-examining the position doesn't lead to a different answer.

"We debated this through the nineties and those debates fully took into account the notion that terrorists could use cryptography."

He pointed out that those involved in the debate included the Clinton administration, Congress, the FBI, the NSA, academics, the courts, the computer industry and the press.

Zimmermann added that they "collectively decided that on the whole - even taking into account terrorist attacks - society is more helped by strong crypto than harmed by it".

In spite of this, new legislation to curtail its use looms in the US, and similar steps may be taken in Europe.

Speaking on silicon.com's Behind the Headlines programme this week, Martin Brampton, director of Black Sheep Research, said there is "very ill-thought, panic-driven legislation being talked about at the moment" and that it is up to law abiding individuals and companies "to make intelligent use of the capabilities that come from the security vendors".

Simon Moores, chairman of the Research Group and special advisor to the Cabinet Office, said: "The hawks are now driving the agenda without thinking clearly about the consequences."

Zimmermann said it took years to come to what he calls "a good decision" on the issue, adding: "If we try to take that decision all over again in the emotional pressure of the moment, we'll make mistakes."

The full Behind the Headlines debate on this subject can be viewed on silicon.com from Friday morning.