16 June 1998

    To: ukcrypto@maillist.ox.ac.uk
    Subject: Re: Crypto Law Survey updated
    Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 15:13:20 +0100
    From: Vaclav Matyas <Vaclav.Matyas@cl.cam.ac.uk>

    Hello Bert-Jaap,

    I have some updates for your Crypto Law Update re. the Czech Republic

    a) Export controls:

    In theory according to the Wassenaar Arrangement, in practice none (might
    change after the June elections).

    Also, the official government document "Information Policy of the Czech
    Republic - Strategy Basics" states "The state shall not restrict import or
    export of cryptographic technologies."

    b) Domestic laws and regulations:

    Newly passed law on "Protection of secret information" will be worked out
    into some detailed regulations that should clarify this. However, this will
    most probably affect only state-held or national security relevant information
    and regulations of cryptography as such are not touched upon in this law.
    On the other hand, this law establishes a new National Security Agency, which
    has no restrictions stated in this law on actions on the country's
    territory and against own citizens.

    c) Developments to restrict cryptography:

    None as such.

    However, when I sent my comments to the office that worked on the above cited
    "Information Policy of the Czech Republic - Strategy Basics", they have
    included my comment relevant to a) "The state shall not restrict import or
    export of cryptographic technologies", but did not include a similar suggestion
    that the state will not restrict use of cryptography and/or impose key-escrow
    or key-recovery duty.

    Hope this is of some help to your excellent work. Many thanks for four effort!

    Vaclav