The Clinton Administration has underestimated the extent to which high-tech and privacy groups oppose the Clipper and Tessara chips -- encryption technologies that would allow federal agencies with court orders to eavesdrop on data and voice communications.  At the recent conference on Computers, Freedom and Privacy, an Administration spokesman asked: "Do you really want to live in a world where law enforcement can not do its job because of the need for privacy?"  Pressed to explain how crooks and terrorists smart enough to use encryption could be stupid enough to use the government's own encryption standards, the spokesman insisted: "You shouldn't overestimate the I.Q. of crooks."

New York Times
March 26, 1994 p.19
[In the mid 90's we were being assaulted on all sides, the gun issue, the surveillance issue, and our medical and financial records (remember “Know your customer“?).  We have made good progress but have work yet to do.]