Hacker News Reader

Does anyone know whether one can host open source crypto code on GitHub without risking violations of the US Export Administration Regulations? One issue could for example be that GitHub doesn't block access from countries under US embargo, AFAIK.

View on HN

Yes you can. BIS effectively decontrolled open source encryption software a few years ago, essentially admitting that attempts to control the export of something that was already available world-wide was a waste of time.

There are still some restrictions on exporting cryptography. For example, under US law you can't export strong crypto to Iran, North Korea, and a few other countries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Export_of_cryptography_in_the_U...

Actually you can, you just need a license. That you'll never get one is assumed, however. You need a license to export anything to the AT (Anti-terrorism) countries but for some items you probably can get the license, at least for certain items to certain end users.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com