The Clinton administration released long-awaited export rules ondata-scrambling technology, quickly winning support from software industry groups that had criticized earlier proposals.

The administration had been working since September to relax encryption export rules, wanting to make it easier for U.S. companies to sell software that keeps data and communications private. The new rules seek to balance the needs of the U.S. military and law enforcement agencies, which fear data-scrambling technology could be misused, and industry arguments that such controls limit U.S. companies_ ability to compete globally. The rules allow U.S. companies such as Novell to export any encryption product to businesses, individuals and non-government users without having to obtain a license from the government. Also, encryption products that are widely available through retail outlets can be exported to any entity, including foreign governments. The new rules "are more in step with the economic realities of the information age, while protecting our nation_s vital security and law enforcement needs," said Ed Gillespie, executive director of Americans for Computer Privacy, which represents more than 100 companies and 40 associations. "And they strike a balance between security and America_s commercial interests."