Encryption chief praises power of the Net

Internet guru, Phil Zimmermann, has defended the Internet's role in the global drive to protect human rights and support the work of humanitarian aid groups.

In an interview with Silicon.com, the founder of encryption software development company, Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) played down growing media fears that the Net encourages terrorism by giving potential criminals access to information on bomb-making and other illegal activities.

The reality is quite different, according to Zimmermann, who claimed the Internet and encryption software can play an important role in safeguarding human rights. He said: "Encryption was originally developed as a human rights project. Activists in the Kosovo crisis are using it to work together - this was the plan for this technology. Encryption is a human rights application."

Zimmermann has played a leading role in the fight against strict US government controls on the export of encryption technology. Those controls are increasingly being criticised on the world stage, and were ruled illegal last week by a US federal appeals judge, who said they violate freedom of expression.