New UK crypto law and an idea on how to defeat it

Thu, 2 Dec 1999 01:27:39 -0200

On Wed, Dec 01 1999 at 08:57:41pm +0000, Sean Rima wrote:

> Hi Rodrigo!

        Hi, Sean :)

> No it makes no mention of who it would be targetted towards. But as has been

> said in a previous reply, the police would and do believe that anyone using

> any form of encryption have something to hide.

(...)

> It is a matter of educating the people in power that the average person who

> uses any form of encryption has nothing to hide.

        Educating people is a very subjective measure. People in power may
never be educated. They may be and still use their power to their own
accord. In any case, I'm not willing to take a chance. Unless they're not
legally and objectively restricted as to what they can demand from me, I
don't trust they'll take the right attitude.

> I personnaly would welcome

> any visit from any law enforcement agency to show that I have nothing to

> hide. Even my choice of NG's would show.

        Definetely, so would I. Unless "showing I have nothing to hide"
includes invading my privacy (or, in this case, giving my private encryption
keys away). That's my point: law enforcement officials should have their
rights very well defined. Any officer can come up with a "suspicion of
ilegal activities". Do you like Monty Python?
        - There's a paper bag I have found on the premises! I must
confiscate it and take it for clinical examination!
        - Wait a minute! You just took that out of your pocket!

        Get the idea?
        If they want to have the right to demand encryption private keys
(whici I oppose to, for the very reason that moves our discussion on this
subject), the same law should clearly state the cases where this applies. It
shouldn't be left for future consideration. I have seen too many cases of
police abuse not to distrust the people with the badge...

                rbp

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