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UK Court Rejects Encryption Key Disclosure Defense

Posted by samzenpus on from the do-not-pass-go dept.

truthsearch writes "Defendants can't deny police an encryption key because of fears the data it unlocks will incriminate them, a British appeals court has ruled. The case marked an interesting challenge to the UK's Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), which in part compels someone served under the act to divulge an encryption key used to scramble data on a PC's hard drive. The appeals court heard a case in which two suspects refused to give up encryption keys, arguing that disclosure was incompatible with the privilege against self incrimination. In its ruling, the appeals court said an encryption key is no different than a physical key and exists separately from a person's will."

2 of 708 comments (clear)

  1. First of many circular logics. by twitter · · Score: -1, Troll

    If an encryption key exists independent of my will, you can find it and use it without my help. Really, I've forgotten more passwords than I know.

    suspects also can't refuse to give a DNA sample if properly compelled

    Ah, the mind probe. Welcome to the next witch hunt, complete with head crushers, iron maidens and other "proper" devices for compelling people.

    --

    Friends don't help friends install M$ junk.

  2. Re:Wise comments, these ..... by OeLeWaPpErKe · · Score: 1, Troll

    Personally, I think you need to realize that this acceptance of free opinion that you have in Amerika is not nearly as widespread as you assume it is (not even in America).

    In Europe, you can actually get physically attacked in some places for being openly against Obama, but mostly people will just hurl insults at you. Racist, warmonger are popular ones.

    There is no-one controlling these people. They're just used to getting free handouts from government, and they will fight to keep them. Obama will apologize for America, and presumably prepare the road to bring America into the EU, that means bigger government. More money for handouts.

    Even in America the press is more than just a little bit "left-leaning". In Europe, it's slightly more extreme than Stalin. In America it's ridiculous and "just some repeats" if some idiot claims that fearmongering and racism are campaigning against Obama (we all know who's side Wright was on, right ? So to say the least some of the more extreme racists are for Obama), in Europe it's front page news just about everywhere.

    The extreme left dominates public opinion to a ridiculous extent in Europe. In America, it's a comparatively more moderate left. But the left is like muslims : they never stay moderate for long.