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> it’s also not really a solution to anything It's a solution to situations like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Ulbricht#Silk_Road,_arrest_and_trial https:
by jefftk 7y ago
> it’s also not really a solution to anything
It's a solution to situations like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Ulbricht#Silk_Road,_arrest_and_trial https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Ulbricht#Silk_Road,_arres... , where the laptop is taken by people who (a) can legally seize it, (b) can legally search it, but (c) probably can't legally compel you to produce passwords.
(Not endorsing this usage!)
- koheripbal 7y agoCases like this in countries that do not have due process laws makes the use-case even more compelling.
- dangus 7y agoIf they don’t have due process laws they can throw you in jail until you produce the decryption password, and if they turn on the computer and it’s wiped they’ll throw away the key. If there is no due process, all bets are off and your best defense is to be uninteresting to authorities.
- ianbooker 7y agoThings are not always black and / or white. The rule of law, in reality, is rather a continuous variable then a binary one. And even if: A kill switch can simply hide / erase some things and present some weak evidence..
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- ShakataGaNai 7y agoThe author of the article clearly had that or something very similar in mind when he wrote this piece. It reads exactly like that story (I had the same thought as you). It's a very good solution for people who don't know you have something like this. Clearly if the FBI (or whatever) knew of the USB kill device, they'd take a slightly different snatch and grab approach. However if the adversary doesn't think or doesn't know you have something like this, then it can be used to great effect.
- slipheen 7y agoAbsolutely agreed. I've read that LEO in the USA specifically try to grab laptops / phones while they are unlocked. This seems to be designed as a defense against that threat model.