From: bart@netcom.com (Harry Bartholomew)
Date: Sat, 10 Feb 1996 18:55:39 +0800
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Subject: USPS Electronic Commerce Services
Message-ID: <199602101036.CAA24634@netcom2.netcom.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain



    Because I registered for the upcoming Internet Expo in San Jose,
    I got, by mail, an announcement of forthcoming Post Office services.
    These "Postal Electronic Commerce Services" will be demo'd at 
    Booth 626 at this show on February 20-21.

    The flyer says:
    "Postal Electronic Commerce Services will provide end-to-end
    security, confidentiality, integrity, and proof of origin to
    all your electronic information transfer and storage."

    Interestingly they suggest that the government is to be a prime
    beneficiary:  "For governments to get full value from the increased
    use of personal computers and public access terminals (kiosks)
    the privacy and security of every transaction must be guaranteed."

    Under the HOW IT WORKS section, after a quick gloss on public key
    cryptography they state: "Once a person generates a unique key
    (using their own software), they will take the "public" part of
    that key to a postal representative along with documents that
    prove their identity. Postal Electronic Commerce Services will
    then issue a certificate which guarantees that the identity of
    the person matches the "public" key that they presented.
    PECS will also electronically postmark the document using its own
    set of "keys".  This guarantees the validity of the stamp and
    legally establishes the existence of the document."

    They offer a FAX number for further info: (202) 268 4399
    and a phone too at (202) 268 3435.

    No mention of GAK or key length limits that I could see.
    I will surely be at their booth on the 20th.