From: Lile Elam <elam@art.net>
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Subject: WebTV Article...
http://www.sjmercury.com/business/today/biz/007555.htm
Web browser classified as weapon
New York Times
SAN FRANCISCO -- American couch potatoes have become empowered -- too empowered, in
the eyes of the government.
A $300 television-set-top device for browsing the World Wide Web, which Sony and Philips
Electronics began selling recently at chains like Sears, Roebuck and Circuit City Stores, uses
computer-security technology so powerful that the government is classifying it as a weapon that
will require a special export license before it can be sold overseas.
Few industry experts expect such a license to be granted, meaning the companies are unlikely to
begin selling current versions of the U.S.-made devices next year in Europe and Japan, as they had
planned.
The appliances, designed to let consumers surf the Web and transmit e-mail via a standard
television set and phone line, have suddenly become the mostsignificant challenge to the Clinton
administration's attempt to restrict the export of powerful data-scrambling devices by categorizing
them as ``munitions'' requiring a special export license.
While the set-top boxes are intended to protect the privacy of users and permit secure on-line
sales transactions, administration officials fear such technology could be used by foreign terrorists
or criminals to conspire with electronic impunity.
`We're the guinea pig,'' said Steve Perlman, chairman and chief executive of Web TV Networks
Inc., designer of the units, which are being manufactured in the United States by Sony Electronics
and Philips. ``Can you imagine carrying one of our boxes under your arm and getting arrested at
theborder?''
NYT-11-07-96 2217EST
Posted: Fri Nov 8 05:05:01 PST 1996