[angst_ridden]

I think Naomi Wu's Big Red Switch Box is better. With a seemingly dead drive, an adversary may still try to rubber-hose an access method out of you on the assumption that there's some special sequence to required to gain access. A simply dead drive is suspect, especially given the prevalence of ideas like port knocking, etc.

With the Big Red Switch that throws sparks and emits smoke, the adversary may still inflict punishment on you, but they have no illusions that they can torture you into revealing "the secret way to access it".

[jrootabega]

I searched several variations on that, but couldn't find what you're referring to. Do you have a link?

[Morizero]

I believe it's her "Emergency USB Drive Destroyer"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg0sdeAwN5A

[jrootabega]

Ah, yeah, I could see how that might help if it's robbers trying to get your bank pw/wallet key.

[SpikeDad]

I think it's more for Chinese communist police raiding her home. Since she runs mains voltage through the USB drive the thing would have to be plugged in.

[jrootabega]

wouldn't the act of destroying the drive be enough to convict anyway?

[SexyCyborg]

Yes, but they could not, for instance get data on or conversations I've had with other people and go after them. A firestop of sorts. It's far from a universal solution, just a very low tech, very theatrical option for very specific threat models