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From: gwyn@brl-smoke.ARPA (Doug Gwyn )
Newsgroups: sci.crypt
Subject: Re: public key encryption and RSA patent status
Message-ID: <6490@brl-smoke.ARPA>
Date: Mon, 28-Sep-87 16:05:05 EDT
Article-I.D.: brl-smok.6490
Posted: Mon Sep 28 16:05:05 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 29-Sep-87 06:32:43 EDT
References: <1372@osiris.UUCP> <1398@osiris.UUCP> <4081@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu>
Reply-To: gwyn@brl.arpa (Doug Gwyn (VLD/VMB) <gwyn>)
Organization: Ballistic Research Lab (BRL), APG, MD.
Lines: 12

In article <4081@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu> palmer@tybalt.caltech.edu.UUCP (David Palmer) writes:
>DES is not classified, only the open secret (or widespread belief) that
>the NSA has a backdoor to it is classified.

Excuse me, let's please try to be more precise in our terminology.
Classified information (in the U.S.) is that which has been specifically
flagged as CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET, or TOP SECRET, depending on the
probable degree of damage to the national interests if the information
were to be divulged to the wrong parties.  Rumors by their nature
are not classified, although they MAY be about material that is
classified.  Unless you know that to be the case (I personally don't
know one way or the other), the rumor you refer to is just a rumor.