Michael McCaul Quotes
We should be careful not to vilify encryption itself, which is essential for privacy, data security, and global commerce.
McCaul, Michael. "State of Homeland Security Address." Bipartisan Policy Center, 7 Sept. 2016.
He had developed a mathematical algorithm for a computer encryption that would take years to break even for the most powerful supercomputers. The U. S. Government tried to prevent him from publishing the technique and formula, but he went ahead anyway. They then tried to accuse him of violating an Arms Export Control Act for allowing people in other countries to see it, but there were no legal grounds for indictment. The strong encryption method, PGP, can be used with almost any PC and internet transmission of files.
The law enforcement and the intelligence agencies have been claiming for a number of years that etrong encryption (encryption which no one can crack with existing technology) if used by the general public would really hinder law enforcement and espionage efforts. The Federal government actually obtained a court order prohibiting the inventor of the stong encryption frm sharing the equations and techniques with anyone--as blatant an infringement to the right of free speech as there was been. The order was ignored and although the government tried to intimidate the developer by threatening him with prison. He refused to comply and the government finally dropeed the case, as the courts would almost certainly find such a jailing unconstitutional. However, although they tell the courts that there is a clear and present danger if terrorists use encryption, no one had, up to that time, found a single case where being able to decypher the encryption would have prevented an attack.
Michael Thomas McCaul Sr. is an American attorney and politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 10th congressional district since 2005. A member of the Republican Party, he served as chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security during the 113th, 114th, and 115th Congresses. His district stretches from Austin to Houston. As of 2018, he was the fifth-wealthiest member of Congress.