Re: How long before NIPC decides we need one of these?

[Chris Adams <chris () digitaria com>]

On 04/30/00 10:14:22 PM jlewis () lewis org wrote:

> On Sun, 30 Apr 2000, John Fraizer wrote:
>
> > PGP is your friend.
> > On Sun, 30 Apr 2000, Roland Dobbins wrote:
> > > http://www.the-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/04/30/stinwenws01034.html
>
> The new spy centre will decode messages that have
> been encrypted. Under new powers due to come into
> force this summer, police will be able to require
> individuals and companies to hand over computer
> "keys", special codes that unlock scrambled messages.
>
> Sorry officer...I can't seem to remember my passphrase :)
>
> I wonder if this will prompt people who care in the UK to frequently
> revoke/destroy/recreate their PGP keys.  Otherwise, if forced to hand over
> your private key, they can read any old message they've archived on you.

Actually, it's worse. If you don't turn over the key when asked, you get 2 
years of jail time. If you can't prove you don't have the key, you're 
considered guilty. If you publically mention these events, you can be jailed 
for 5 more years.