Judge orders defendant to decrypt PGP-protected laptop

[Ivan Krstić]

On Mar 3, 2009, at 1:53 PM, Perry E. Metzger wrote:
> If it is obvious to you and me that a disk has multiple
> encrypted views, then you can't expect that a court will not be able
> to understand this and take appropriate action, like putting you in a
> cage.

Why do you think it'd be obvious to you and me that a disk has  
multiple encrypted views? Contempt carries a burden of proof. If the  
guy has two encrypted volumes, one with a bunch of hardcore adult porn  
and the other with a bunch of kiddie porn, how does his unlocking the  
first one give you a 'preponderance of evidence' that he's obstructing  
justice or disobeying the court? It becomes a he-said-she-said with  
the CBP agent, your word against his.

--
Ivan Krstić <krstic at solarsail.hcs.harvard.edu> | http://radian.org

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