[burgerz]

here's what you could do. put an encrypted volume onto somebody's computer. call the cops, tell them he's got child porn on it. they seize his computer, he doesn't know the password.

what is the even the fucking point in having a password if the state can just ask you for it?

[superuser2]

There is never under any circumstances in any modern country a situation where you are allowed to "win" a fight against Constitutional and democratically created laws. Asking "what is the point in having a password if the state can just ask you for it" is like asking "what is the point in having a gun if the state can punish me for killing people with it at will?"

Encryption is there to protect against thieves, hackers, and other unlawful surveillance. Using encryption isn't ever going to make you impervious to the legal discovery process.

[burgerz]

>"what is the point in having a password if the state can just ask you for it" is like asking "what is the point in having a gun if the state can punish me for killing people with it at will?"

no it's not, bad analogy. in the US the state can't put you in jail for not giving a password (remaining silent).

[jdiez17]

Relevant XKCD: http://xkcd.com/538/