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