Case Closed on Zimmermann PGP Investigation

[14 February 1996] According to reports published in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, William P. Keane, an assistant U.S. Attorney in San Jose, announced on January 11 that, in consultation with the Justice Department and other administration officials, he had decided to drop the investigation of Philip Zimmermann. This means that Zimmermann will not be prosecuted for the export of PGP. Zimmermann maintained thoughout the investigation that he did not put the software on the Internet. The Internet Society's ISOC FORUM reported in its Vol. 2, No. 2, that Michael J. Yamaguchi, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California, announced that his office has declined prosecution of any individuals in connection with the posting to USENET in June 1991 of PGP. Both Keane and Yamaguchi have declined comment on the reasons for dropping the case and have cautioned against inferring policy decisions from these events.