Zimmermann leaves Network Associates

Encryption icon Philip Zimmermann left Network Associates this week, after he claimed he had issues with the security conglomerate's handling of its encryption product, Pretty Good Privacy. "NAI has developed a different vision for PGP's future, and it's time for me to move on to other projects more fitting with my own objectives to protect personal privacy," according to a statement by Zimmermann, who originally created PGP.

Jeff Jones, vice president of marketing for Network Associates, played down Zimmermann's role at the company and brushed aside Zimmermann's implied concerns that future products may contain "backdoors" for law enforcement and the government. "No part of the conversation, as I recall, involved concerns over the source code," Jones said about discussions between Zimmerman and Network Associates. Zimmermann will become chief cryptographer for Hushmail Communications, a Web-based encrypted e-mail provider.