Importance

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Abstract

A method, using a public-key cryptosystem, for enabling a predetermined entity to monitor communications of users .?.suspected of unlawful activities while protecting the privacy of law-abiding users.!., wherein each user is assigned a pair of matching secret and public keys. According to the method, each user's secret key is broken into shares. Then, each user provides a plurality of 'trustees' pieces of information. The pieces of information provided to each trustee enable that trustee to verify that such information includes a 'share' of a secret key of some given public key. Each trustee can verify that the pieces of information provided include a share of the secret key without interaction with any other trustee or by sending messages to the user. Upon a predetermined request or condition, e.g., a court order authorizing the entity to monitor the communications of a user .?.suspected of unlawful activity.!., the trustees reveal to the entity the shares of the secret key of such user. This enables the entity to reconstruct the secret key and monitor the .?.suspect.!. user's communications.

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First Claim