Privacy Studies

Studies on Specific Areas of the Privacy Issue             Back to NCPA Debate Home Page

U.S. Encryption Policy: A Free Market Primer offers a thorough critique of attempts to regulate encryption technology. Costs to the economy, information security, and national security are detailed. ----- In Nameless in Cyberspace: Anonymity on the Internet, the author argues that "Given the importance of anonymity as a component of free speech, the cost of banning anonymous Internet speech would be enor-mous. It makes no sense to treat Internet speech differently from printed leaflets or books." ----- Strong Cryptography: The Global Tide of Change makes a compelling case for lifting export controls on strong cryptography technology. According to the author, "Encryption technology will prove vital to the future of electronic commerce. For example, thefts of nuclear secrets from U.S. national laboratories would be much less likely if the labs' commercial software had built-in encryption features that could be used to limit unauthorized access-a type of security product discouraged by export controls." ----- Speaking the Truth About Social Security Reform, by Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman, explodes various myths about privatizing the Social Security system. Although Friedman doesn't discuss the threat to privacy that comprehensive enumeration through Social Security numbers can impose, he argues that workers should be able to make their own private decisions concerning retirement planning. ----- Medical Savings Accounts: Answering the Critics provides excellent answers to negative attacks on a MSA case. Does not address the privacy link, which can be found in John Goodman and Gerald Musgrave's book, Patient Power. -----