Use of Encryption Foiled the Cops a Record 9 Times In 2013

realized (2472730) writes "In nine cases in 2013, state police were unable to break the encryption used by criminal suspects they were investigating, according to an annual report on law enforcement eavesdropping released by the U.S. court system on Wednesday. That's more than twice as many cases as in 2012, when police said that they'd been stymied by crypto in four cases—and that was the first year they'd ever reported encryption preventing them from successfully surveilling a criminal suspect. Before then, the number stood at zero."

Comments

I smell a rat.

[Anonymous Coward]

There are obviously thousands of people using encryption because they have a legitimate reason to hide something, and criminals also have something to hide, so it stands to reason that they'd also use encryption.

So why aren't there more cases of encryption impeding an investigation? Possibilities:

1) Only stupid people (who don't use encryption) are caught - yeah, not with numbers /that/ low;

2) The numbers are being deliberately under-reported;

3) A lot of encryption is breakable or has backdoors;

4) Most people under investigation have software planted on computers or hardware keyloggers.

Re:I smell a rat.

[JimFive]

You forgot:

5) Most crimes leave evidence that is not on the criminal's computer.

Re:I smell a rat.

[rogoshen1]

that oblig xkcd comic about a heavy wrench defeating encryption is more likely.
"we'll drop the sentence to 1 year in prison if you give us the keys, or you can fight us, and we'll go for 25 to life."

(protip: the wrench can be a metaphor)

Re:I smell a rat.

[Anonymous Coward]

>
> have a legitimate reason to hide something
>

A person does not ever require a "legitimate reason" to use encryption. A person can transmit information in any way he may see fit or in any way he may simply desire without needing a reason or explanation.

If I want to strongly encrypt a cooking recipe that I email to my grandmother, then it is my business and my business alone.

The point is that criminal intent or any other intent cannot/should not be inferred solely from the act of encryption.

Scare tactics

[fustakrakich]

Public opinion needs to be turned against anything (such as the bill of rights) that could hinder the authorities.