House Panel Backs Encryption Decoder

A House panel has voted to require hard-to-break computer coded products sold in the U.S. to include a feature allowing immediate decoding by law enforcement officials armed with a warrant, industry executives and congressional aides said. After a briefing earlier this week by FBI officials, the House Intelligence Committee voted to amend a bill offered by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) that is designed to loosen export restrictions on encrypted products. The amendment would restrict the sale, manufacture and import of encryption products in the U.S. Although the measure is still several steps away from becoming law, key members of the House Commerce Committee are also backing an amendment that would impose domestic restrictions on encryption products.