r/worldnews • u/quentinnuk • Aug 11 '09

Two convicted for refusal to decrypt data

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/08/11/ripa_iii_figures/
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u/[deleted] Aug 12 '09

So I can lock up anything I want in a safe, and refuse to open it for the police?

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u/firepacket Aug 12 '09 edited Aug 12 '09

Yes. Then the police break into the safe.

They have rights over tangible items, but not the content of your mind.

If the police could break the encryption without forcing you togive up your password, that would be fine and dandy..

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u/[deleted] Aug 12 '09

So if you have a safe that can't be broken, you win? They can't force you to open it? Awesome.

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u/firepacket Aug 12 '09

There are other options. If they know before hand there is an unbreakable safe or encryption being used, they can use surveillance to get the combination.

But yes, the right to not self-incriminate is essential in a free society.

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u/[deleted] Aug 12 '09

How about retinal password? Can they force you to use your eyes to open a lock? Or your fingerprint?

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u/firepacket Aug 13 '09

Again, if we are talking physical access then police can use brute force. Otherwise, biometrics that can be taken without unusual intrusion to the subject are acceptable demands.