Robert S. Litt

Robert S. Litt is the deputy assistant attorney general for the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice. In the following viewpoint, Litt contends that allowing the computer industry to develop unbreakable encryption to protect the privacy of their computer files is a grave threat to public safety. While law enforcement agencies welcome strong encryption, Litt maintains, the public’s right to privacy must be balanced against the needs of national security. Therefore, he argues, law enforcement must be given the keys to all computer encryption codes to protect the public from terrorism and other threats.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What examples does Litt give to support his contention that unbreakable encryption codes could cripple law enforcement efforts?
2. According to Litt, how long would it take a supercomputer to decrypt...