You show me yours…

Mutual mistrust can now be enshrined in software. Time-release cryptography allows cautious companies to release secrets to each other in stages as contracts are signed, says Hewlett-Packard (GB 2372414). The system also makes electronic diaries readable only after a fixed time has elapsed, seals secret auction bids and releases staged payments. The decryption codes work only at given dates and times on computers with synchronised clocks.