[PUBLIC LAW 513-81 ST CONGRESS [CHAPTER 185- 2D SESSION] [S. 277] AN ACT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-01034R000200150012-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 25, 2005
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: May 13, 1950
• Content Type: OPEN

Approved For Release 2005/12/23 : CIA-RDP83-01034R000200150012-1
PUBLIC LAW 513-81ST CONGRESS]
[CHAPTER 185-21) SESSION]
[S. 277]
AN ACT
To enhance further the security of the United States by preventing disclosures
of information concerning the cryptographic systems and the communication
intelligence activities of the United States.
Be it enacted by the &nate and Ilouwe of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress as.semnhled, That whoever shall
knowingly and willfully communicate, furnish, transmit, or otherwise
make available to an unauthorized person, or publish, or use in any
manner prejudicial to the safetor interest of the United States or
for the benefit of any foreign 'government to the detriment of the
United States any classified information (1) concerning the nature,
preparation, or use of any code, cipher, or cryptographic system of the
United States or any foreign government; or (2) concerning the
design, construction, use, maintenance, or repair of any device, appa-
ratus, or appliance used or prepared or planned for use by the United
States or any foreign government for cryptographic or communica-
tion intelligence purposes; or (3) concerning the communication intel-
ligence activities of the United States or any foreign government; or
(4) obtained by the processes of communication intelligence from
the communications of any foreign government knowing the same to
have been obtained by such processes, shall be fined not more than
$10,000 or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.
Snc. 2. (a) The term "classified information" as used herein shall
be construed to mean information which, at the time of a violation
under this Act, is, for reasons of national security, specifically desig-
nated by a United States Government agency for limited or restricted
dissemination or distribution.
(b) The terms "code", "cipher", and "cryptographic system" as used
herein shall be construed to include in their meanings, in addition to
their usual meanings, any method of secret writing and any mechanical
or electrical device or method used for the purpose of disguising or
concealing the contents, significance, or meanings of communications.
(c) The term "foreign government" as used herein shall be con-
strued to include in its meaning any person or persons acting or
purporting to act for or on behalf of any faction, party, department,
agency, bureau, or military force of or within a foreign country, or
for or on behalf of any government or any person or persons purport-
ing to act as a government within a foreign country, whether or not
such government is recognized by the United States.
(d) The term "communication intelligence" as used herein shall be
construed to mean all procedures and methods used in the interception
of communications and the obtaining of information from such com-
munications by other than the intended recipients.
(e) The term "unauthorized person" as used herein shall be con-
strued to mean any person who, or agency which, is not authorized to
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Approved For Release 2005/12/23 : CIA-RDP83-01034R000200150012-1
 Approved For Release 2005/12/23 : CIA-RDP83-01034R000200150012-1
receive information of the categories set forth in section 1 of this Act,
by the President, or by the head of a department or agency of the
United States Government which is expressly designated by the Presi-
dent to engage in communication intelligence activities for the United
States.
SEC. 3. Nothing in this Act shall prohibit the furnishing, upon
lawful demand, of information to any regularly constituted committee
of the Senate or House of Representatives of the United States of
America, or joint committee thereof.
Approved May 13, 1950.
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Approved For Release 2005/12/23 : CIA-RDP83-01034R000200150012-1