cryptofascists
A federal judge in Vermont has ruled against the government in a child porn case that hinges on forcing a defendant to divulge his PGP password phrase. While one ruling does not make a precedent, this case will be referenced in the future, I suspect.
What's at stake here is bigger than it may appear. The future of digital identity, content and privacy may very well hinge on the outcome of this controversy. Since government cannot effectively shield our personal information or protect our intellectual property, we must protect ourselves, ourselves, whether we are individuals or corporations. To do this, we need encryption. Crypto tools are only as useful as our ability to keep others out. IMHO, the 5th Amendment gives us the right to protect ourselves from self-incrimination and in the digital world--that means crypto.
Posted on December 17, 2007
