[atomic_dog]

First the FBI wants to seize documents without a warrant and now the mere "existence of an encryption program" on a computer can be admitted as evidence of criminal intent.

Does anyone else see something wrong here or am I just being paranoid?

[Dead Corpse]

Well crap. I guess I better decrypt my hard drives that contain a copy of my medical records, my credit reports, back ups of my tax records and bank statements... After all, I wouldn't want God the Government to think I have anything to f*cking HIDE.

Judges like this need to be in jail. For everyone elses safety.

[shellshocked]

"Does anyone else see something wrong here or am I just being paranoid?"


Not paranoid. When the government can make laws for itself that states normal activities are criminal, we are in big trouble, and so is the government.

[Kelly_2000]

I think the point this case is making is not to impact liberty, no precedent is being made that suggests encryption technology is indicative of wrongdoing. BUT when seen in conjunction with other circumstantial and substantive evidence THEN it is compelling and relevant in the context of this case. It was the witness testimony and other computer forensic evidences that lead to this ruling.

It would be inaccurate to single out this ruling as definitive to the sentencing and verdict.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

the mere "existence of an encryption program" on a computer can be admitted as evidence of criminal intent. Does anyone else see something wrong here or am I just being paranoid?

This is standard practice in the laws of most other countries.

[Arthalion]

Using that logic, the presence of door locks on your house also indicates that you have something to hide, and therefore implies criminal intent.

More incompetent drivel from the bench. For the record, I have PGP8 installed and use it because my account ledgers, passowrd files, and business records are all stored on my computer. Since I have a wireless network, intrusion is a possibility and I encrypt my files to ensure that NOBODY can get into them without my authorization. I guess that makes me a criminal.

[TChris]

Isn't that a little like adding presumption of guilt because you have a lock on your door? Fer cryin' out loud. Outside these jurists' obviously small world, there are hundreds of legitimate uses for encryption technology. This is more poor judgment from the technology-challenged bench. :-(

[SamFromLivingston]

Bump for later.