What are the U.S. State Department controls on technology exports known as?

The U.S. State Department controls on technology exports are known as ITAR, which stands for the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. This is a set of regulations that govern the export and import of defense-related articles and services. ITAR is designed to ensure that U.S. military and dual-use technology is not transferred to foreign nationals or nations that may threaten U.S. national security or foreign policy interests.

Under ITAR, companies and individuals must obtain permission in the form of a license before exporting any controlled defense-related items. This includes not only physical goods but also technical data related to defense systems. The regulations reflect the U.S. government's commitment to controlling sensitive technologies and preventing them from falling into the wrong hands.

In contrast, the other options refer to different types of export control regulations or concepts. EAR, or Export Administration Regulations, is related to dual-use goods and technology, while EAL refers to Evaluation Assurance Levels in the context of security evaluations, and DRM stands for Digital Rights Management, which deals with copyright protection technologies. Understanding ITAR is crucial for organizations involved in the defense sector and those dealing with sensitive export-controlled technologies.