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Is compression “encryption” under FCC regs?
Signing of messages transmitted over ham radioWhy do Amateur Radio organizations in the United States oppose the relaxation of encryption prohibitions?How far from earth do FCC regulations apply?How can I know whether a radio is FCC approved?FCC tracking of unlicensed FRS/GMRS transmissionsWhy does the FCC put restrictions on symbol rates?legal - Do FCC regulations only apply in U.S.A?What are FCC/Industry Canada certification requirements for amateur radio related products?How to get professional or official clarification of FCC Part 97 rules for specific complicated situations?Is there any point to keep the CSCE after the FCC registers the upgrade?Do FCC regulations limit digital data rate?
$begingroup$
I read this question about digital signatures and FCC prohibitions on "obscuring" messages in amateur transmissions, and it cause me to think of something: the difference between encryption and compression is small.
If I send a file in compressed form via digital radio (say, a Mesh running on firmware-modified wifi routers, to support data rates that don't make this silly), the contents are easily decompressed by anyone who receives the file in error-free form (and most compression systems include redundant error correction codes to reduce the likelihood that the file will fail decompression) -- but without attempting decompression, there's no simple way to tell whether the file is encrypted within the compressed archive.
It would obviously be a no-no to send an encrypted archive by amateur radio, I think, but where is the line drawn? Does compression itself count as "obscuring" the contents?
united-states legal digital-modes encryption
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I read this question about digital signatures and FCC prohibitions on "obscuring" messages in amateur transmissions, and it cause me to think of something: the difference between encryption and compression is small.
If I send a file in compressed form via digital radio (say, a Mesh running on firmware-modified wifi routers, to support data rates that don't make this silly), the contents are easily decompressed by anyone who receives the file in error-free form (and most compression systems include redundant error correction codes to reduce the likelihood that the file will fail decompression) -- but without attempting decompression, there's no simple way to tell whether the file is encrypted within the compressed archive.
It would obviously be a no-no to send an encrypted archive by amateur radio, I think, but where is the line drawn? Does compression itself count as "obscuring" the contents?
united-states legal digital-modes encryption
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I read this question about digital signatures and FCC prohibitions on "obscuring" messages in amateur transmissions, and it cause me to think of something: the difference between encryption and compression is small.
If I send a file in compressed form via digital radio (say, a Mesh running on firmware-modified wifi routers, to support data rates that don't make this silly), the contents are easily decompressed by anyone who receives the file in error-free form (and most compression systems include redundant error correction codes to reduce the likelihood that the file will fail decompression) -- but without attempting decompression, there's no simple way to tell whether the file is encrypted within the compressed archive.
It would obviously be a no-no to send an encrypted archive by amateur radio, I think, but where is the line drawn? Does compression itself count as "obscuring" the contents?
united-states legal digital-modes encryption
$endgroup$
I read this question about digital signatures and FCC prohibitions on "obscuring" messages in amateur transmissions, and it cause me to think of something: the difference between encryption and compression is small.
If I send a file in compressed form via digital radio (say, a Mesh running on firmware-modified wifi routers, to support data rates that don't make this silly), the contents are easily decompressed by anyone who receives the file in error-free form (and most compression systems include redundant error correction codes to reduce the likelihood that the file will fail decompression) -- but without attempting decompression, there's no simple way to tell whether the file is encrypted within the compressed archive.
It would obviously be a no-no to send an encrypted archive by amateur radio, I think, but where is the line drawn? Does compression itself count as "obscuring" the contents?
united-states legal digital-modes encryption
united-states legal digital-modes encryption
edited 8 hours ago
Kevin Reid AG6YO♦
16.2k33170
16.2k33170
asked 8 hours ago
Zeiss IkonZeiss Ikon
54419
54419
add a comment |
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
For governments around the world to continue to trust that amateur radio has no nefarious purpose, it is essential that everyone that wishes to, can "listen in" to any amateur radio communications. Anything that hints at eroding this capability will likely be struck down in time through regulation.
To pass the FCC legal hurdle regarding obfuscation, it must first be evident that the purpose is not to obscure the message. Part of this test would likely be that the technique must accomplish some useful level of compression if that is really its purpose.
The legal second test would likely be that can anyone readily decompress the message to return it to its clear text form. This must be very easily achievable due to broad publication or acceptance of the compression method.
Both tests are important. For example, consider a symmetric encryption scheme using an industry standard and with the encryption key widely published on the web. This will possibly pass the second test but it would fail the first test because it doesn't actually compress the message in any real sense. It is also clear that the public standard is primarily for encryption (obscuring) and not compression (reducing).
On the other hand, FT8 makes extensive use of compression. The standard is well published so that anyone wishing to decode the bits can do so. Even though the compression "obscures" the message - it is clear the purpose of the technique is compression. Furthermore, the software to copy FT8 transmissions is readily available for free. Everyone can "listen in". So FT8 passes both tests.
Even Morse Code uses a form of compression by using shorter symbol lengths for the more commonly used letters. Clearly it passes both tests.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
"Why does this rule exist at all?" Why does this rule exist at all? The same sort of rule doesn't apply to phone lines, internet, WiFi, bluetooth, or a slew of other systems.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
As long as your compression uses a standard compression method, it is legal and not considered encryption.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Compression is not encryption. You don't have to use a standard compression method.
By FCC rules, even encryption is not encryption if you publish the key (and the algorithm).
It doesn't matter how you encode the signal if you publish the method to decode it.
However, if you spoke plain words but used special words for special meanings in ways that is not published, that would be illegal, as it obscures the meaning.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
How --and where-- would one "publish the key and the algorithm" so as not to break any laws?
$endgroup$
– Mike Waters♦
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Your Answer
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
For governments around the world to continue to trust that amateur radio has no nefarious purpose, it is essential that everyone that wishes to, can "listen in" to any amateur radio communications. Anything that hints at eroding this capability will likely be struck down in time through regulation.
To pass the FCC legal hurdle regarding obfuscation, it must first be evident that the purpose is not to obscure the message. Part of this test would likely be that the technique must accomplish some useful level of compression if that is really its purpose.
The legal second test would likely be that can anyone readily decompress the message to return it to its clear text form. This must be very easily achievable due to broad publication or acceptance of the compression method.
Both tests are important. For example, consider a symmetric encryption scheme using an industry standard and with the encryption key widely published on the web. This will possibly pass the second test but it would fail the first test because it doesn't actually compress the message in any real sense. It is also clear that the public standard is primarily for encryption (obscuring) and not compression (reducing).
On the other hand, FT8 makes extensive use of compression. The standard is well published so that anyone wishing to decode the bits can do so. Even though the compression "obscures" the message - it is clear the purpose of the technique is compression. Furthermore, the software to copy FT8 transmissions is readily available for free. Everyone can "listen in". So FT8 passes both tests.
Even Morse Code uses a form of compression by using shorter symbol lengths for the more commonly used letters. Clearly it passes both tests.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
"Why does this rule exist at all?" Why does this rule exist at all? The same sort of rule doesn't apply to phone lines, internet, WiFi, bluetooth, or a slew of other systems.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
For governments around the world to continue to trust that amateur radio has no nefarious purpose, it is essential that everyone that wishes to, can "listen in" to any amateur radio communications. Anything that hints at eroding this capability will likely be struck down in time through regulation.
To pass the FCC legal hurdle regarding obfuscation, it must first be evident that the purpose is not to obscure the message. Part of this test would likely be that the technique must accomplish some useful level of compression if that is really its purpose.
The legal second test would likely be that can anyone readily decompress the message to return it to its clear text form. This must be very easily achievable due to broad publication or acceptance of the compression method.
Both tests are important. For example, consider a symmetric encryption scheme using an industry standard and with the encryption key widely published on the web. This will possibly pass the second test but it would fail the first test because it doesn't actually compress the message in any real sense. It is also clear that the public standard is primarily for encryption (obscuring) and not compression (reducing).
On the other hand, FT8 makes extensive use of compression. The standard is well published so that anyone wishing to decode the bits can do so. Even though the compression "obscures" the message - it is clear the purpose of the technique is compression. Furthermore, the software to copy FT8 transmissions is readily available for free. Everyone can "listen in". So FT8 passes both tests.
Even Morse Code uses a form of compression by using shorter symbol lengths for the more commonly used letters. Clearly it passes both tests.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
"Why does this rule exist at all?" Why does this rule exist at all? The same sort of rule doesn't apply to phone lines, internet, WiFi, bluetooth, or a slew of other systems.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
For governments around the world to continue to trust that amateur radio has no nefarious purpose, it is essential that everyone that wishes to, can "listen in" to any amateur radio communications. Anything that hints at eroding this capability will likely be struck down in time through regulation.
To pass the FCC legal hurdle regarding obfuscation, it must first be evident that the purpose is not to obscure the message. Part of this test would likely be that the technique must accomplish some useful level of compression if that is really its purpose.
The legal second test would likely be that can anyone readily decompress the message to return it to its clear text form. This must be very easily achievable due to broad publication or acceptance of the compression method.
Both tests are important. For example, consider a symmetric encryption scheme using an industry standard and with the encryption key widely published on the web. This will possibly pass the second test but it would fail the first test because it doesn't actually compress the message in any real sense. It is also clear that the public standard is primarily for encryption (obscuring) and not compression (reducing).
On the other hand, FT8 makes extensive use of compression. The standard is well published so that anyone wishing to decode the bits can do so. Even though the compression "obscures" the message - it is clear the purpose of the technique is compression. Furthermore, the software to copy FT8 transmissions is readily available for free. Everyone can "listen in". So FT8 passes both tests.
Even Morse Code uses a form of compression by using shorter symbol lengths for the more commonly used letters. Clearly it passes both tests.
$endgroup$
For governments around the world to continue to trust that amateur radio has no nefarious purpose, it is essential that everyone that wishes to, can "listen in" to any amateur radio communications. Anything that hints at eroding this capability will likely be struck down in time through regulation.
To pass the FCC legal hurdle regarding obfuscation, it must first be evident that the purpose is not to obscure the message. Part of this test would likely be that the technique must accomplish some useful level of compression if that is really its purpose.
The legal second test would likely be that can anyone readily decompress the message to return it to its clear text form. This must be very easily achievable due to broad publication or acceptance of the compression method.
Both tests are important. For example, consider a symmetric encryption scheme using an industry standard and with the encryption key widely published on the web. This will possibly pass the second test but it would fail the first test because it doesn't actually compress the message in any real sense. It is also clear that the public standard is primarily for encryption (obscuring) and not compression (reducing).
On the other hand, FT8 makes extensive use of compression. The standard is well published so that anyone wishing to decode the bits can do so. Even though the compression "obscures" the message - it is clear the purpose of the technique is compression. Furthermore, the software to copy FT8 transmissions is readily available for free. Everyone can "listen in". So FT8 passes both tests.
Even Morse Code uses a form of compression by using shorter symbol lengths for the more commonly used letters. Clearly it passes both tests.
answered 6 hours ago
Glenn W9IQGlenn W9IQ
16.5k11146
16.5k11146
$begingroup$
"Why does this rule exist at all?" Why does this rule exist at all? The same sort of rule doesn't apply to phone lines, internet, WiFi, bluetooth, or a slew of other systems.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
"Why does this rule exist at all?" Why does this rule exist at all? The same sort of rule doesn't apply to phone lines, internet, WiFi, bluetooth, or a slew of other systems.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
"Why does this rule exist at all?" Why does this rule exist at all? The same sort of rule doesn't apply to phone lines, internet, WiFi, bluetooth, or a slew of other systems.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
"Why does this rule exist at all?" Why does this rule exist at all? The same sort of rule doesn't apply to phone lines, internet, WiFi, bluetooth, or a slew of other systems.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
As long as your compression uses a standard compression method, it is legal and not considered encryption.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
As long as your compression uses a standard compression method, it is legal and not considered encryption.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
As long as your compression uses a standard compression method, it is legal and not considered encryption.
$endgroup$
As long as your compression uses a standard compression method, it is legal and not considered encryption.
answered 8 hours ago
Mike Waters♦Mike Waters
3,4242635
3,4242635
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Compression is not encryption. You don't have to use a standard compression method.
By FCC rules, even encryption is not encryption if you publish the key (and the algorithm).
It doesn't matter how you encode the signal if you publish the method to decode it.
However, if you spoke plain words but used special words for special meanings in ways that is not published, that would be illegal, as it obscures the meaning.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
How --and where-- would one "publish the key and the algorithm" so as not to break any laws?
$endgroup$
– Mike Waters♦
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Compression is not encryption. You don't have to use a standard compression method.
By FCC rules, even encryption is not encryption if you publish the key (and the algorithm).
It doesn't matter how you encode the signal if you publish the method to decode it.
However, if you spoke plain words but used special words for special meanings in ways that is not published, that would be illegal, as it obscures the meaning.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
How --and where-- would one "publish the key and the algorithm" so as not to break any laws?
$endgroup$
– Mike Waters♦
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Compression is not encryption. You don't have to use a standard compression method.
By FCC rules, even encryption is not encryption if you publish the key (and the algorithm).
It doesn't matter how you encode the signal if you publish the method to decode it.
However, if you spoke plain words but used special words for special meanings in ways that is not published, that would be illegal, as it obscures the meaning.
$endgroup$
Compression is not encryption. You don't have to use a standard compression method.
By FCC rules, even encryption is not encryption if you publish the key (and the algorithm).
It doesn't matter how you encode the signal if you publish the method to decode it.
However, if you spoke plain words but used special words for special meanings in ways that is not published, that would be illegal, as it obscures the meaning.
edited 2 hours ago
answered 3 hours ago
user10489user10489
56516
56516
$begingroup$
How --and where-- would one "publish the key and the algorithm" so as not to break any laws?
$endgroup$
– Mike Waters♦
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
How --and where-- would one "publish the key and the algorithm" so as not to break any laws?
$endgroup$
– Mike Waters♦
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
How --and where-- would one "publish the key and the algorithm" so as not to break any laws?
$endgroup$
– Mike Waters♦
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
How --and where-- would one "publish the key and the algorithm" so as not to break any laws?
$endgroup$
– Mike Waters♦
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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-digital-modes, encryption, legal, united-states