"Export controls remain the most powerful obstacle to the development and free flow of encryption, but they are steadily being relaxed because of the Internet and demands for secure electronic commerce, " the report said.

CNN: Survey finds encryption rules loosening worldwide

Power lines are extremely hostile places for data signals, with high levels of electronic noise and an obstacle course of transformers, surge arrestors and splices that create a huge impedance to the free flow of high-frequency signals.

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