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1 1 (January 2016)

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          ver the last year, Americansf aced
          revelations about the National Security
          Agency's (NSA) telephone metadata
collection program, thesavageterrorist attack in
Paris, and the husband-wife terrorist attack in
San Bernardino. Each raised serious questions
about the government's use and misuse of data,
the effectiveness of data-analysis programs, and
law enforcement's technological limits in tracking
terrorist activities.
With the24-hour newscycleand  social media
outlets, policymakers and punditsarequick to
take to the airwaves to show outrage, demand
changes, and hold hearings. Rarely do these
actions lead to smart government reforms, and in
some casesthey produce lawsthat go beyond
actions the federal government has historically
taken.
There isareal risk policymakerswill crosssuch a
line on the issue of encryption.' Some have


suggested Congress should mandate that private-
sector companiescreatevulnerabilities in their
software to allow law enforcement access to
encrypted communications. Such a mandate
would be unprecedented and apossible
overcorrection that does more long-term harm
than good. At the same time, the status quo
makes law enforcement's job of protecting us
nearly impossible. Before Congress acts, a robust
debate must occur so policymakers can make the
soundest decision possible.
Therefore, anational commission of experts
should analyze the issues involved in encryption
and provide Congress and the president with
recommendations  on how best to protect private-
sector equitieswhilegiving law enforcement the
necessary tools to protect us from increasingly
sophisticated terrorists.2 Because both law
enforcement and the private sector have
legitimate concerns over how best to move


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