&gt; It&#x27;s clear to me that these people have no idea what encryption actually is and only have a cursory understanding of what it does.<p>I&#x27;m not so sure.  Even if McCain (and other politicians) have a perfect understanding of encryption, I would expect some of them to make statements like this.  I interpret it as pandering to their audience in an attempt to look tough on terrorism.  It is unfortunate that if this pandering becomes a reality that it will do real harm to our security and economy.