: Until 1996, the U.S. classified encryption software as a "munition," placing strict limits on exporting strong code (typically anything above 40-bit keys).
The first iteration, often called , centered on the U.S. government's attempt to control cryptography as a military asset. Crypto Wars
The "Crypto Wars" refer to the multi-decade political and legal conflict between governments (primarily the U.S.) and the technology community regarding the use of strong encryption. Governments argue that unbreakable encryption hinders law enforcement's ability to investigate crime ("going dark"), while technologists and privacy advocates maintain that encryption is essential for digital security and civil liberties. 1. Phase 1: The Munitions Era (1990s) : Until 1996, the U