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I believe judges have compelled people to surrender decryption keys. It is in concept no different to having a magical safe which can't be opened by any method
by Perdition 12y ago
I believe judges have compelled people to surrender decryption keys.
It is in concept no different to having a magical safe which can't be opened by any method except the owner's key. The court does have the authority to compel you to surrender that key (or go to jail for contempt).
Of course we all know this is really about fishing expeditions and not warrants issued on probable cause.
- jasonwocky 12y ago> I believe judges have compelled people to surrender decryption keys. Doesn't seem to be a widespread practice. As far as I can see, the only Federal Appeals court case to have confronted the issue ruled against compelling a suspect to decrypt their own laptop. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution#Computer_passwords http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_Amendment_to_the_United_S... > It is in concept no different to having a magical safe which can't be opened by any method except the owner's key. The court does have the authority to compel you to surrender that key It is different, but only because you have the explicit right to remain silent. The US government can legally compel you to do lots of things, but not talk (or otherwise communicate information that's potentially against your interest...generally).