Cryptography Regulation

Below are two reports concerning regulations on the use of encryption hardware in Belgium. The two reports differ regarding when the relevant law was enacted, and what exactly it might require, but there is agreement that the law allows for the denial of connection approval for telecommunications equipment that would render wiretaps ineffective. Although it is apparently not currently being used in this way, this provision could be interpreted to prohibit the use of non-key escrow encryption hardware.

We will report any additional information on encryption regulations in Belgium that we receive.

Report One

Article 95 of the Law of 21 March 1991 on the Reform of Certain Public Enterprises ("the 1991 Law") has been recently modified. This Article relates to the approval of telecommunications end-equipment in Belgium. Although anyone is permitted to connect to the public telecommunication infrastructure and install and maintain end-equipment, the end-equipment which is