I am offical scared for all free people on this planet....

British News

Businesses and individuals may soon have to release their encryption keys to the police or face imprisonment, when Part 3 of the RIP Act comes into effect
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/0,39020330,39269746,00.htm
"The UK Government is preparing to give the police the authority to force organisations and individuals to disclose encryption keys, a move which has outraged some security and civil rights experts."

I can't even begin to express how misguided this is. Consider if the police were to suggest that locked doors were no longer to be allowed because it hampers their ability to arrest terrorists.

"... the Home Office, which has just launched a consultation process, says the powers contained in Part 3 are needed to combat an increased use of encryption by criminals, paedophiles, and terrorists."

The magic words when trying to pass laws that have a greater affect on innocent people than on terrorists and paedophiles. What is the catch phrase of the NRA? If you outlaw guns only outlaws will have guns. Something like that... what makes them think that someone actually plotting criminal acts won't use encryption and not turn over the keys to the government?

... oddly enough, I'm off to my encryption class now. Have a horrifying evening all.