Fergie's Tech Blog

UK Government's Encryption Key Plan Could Backfire

Via OUT-LAW.com.

The clause of a law which forces people to hand over encryption keys will be activated after controversy delayed its implementation for six years. But one security expert has warned that the law itself could cause more criminals to turn to encryption.

The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act will be modified later this year to allow government agencies to force the handing over of data keys after a consultation period announced on Monday. The contentious section of the legislation lay dormant when opponents argued that it could infringe on civil liberties, but the Home Office has said that increasing use of encryption makes its enaction necessary.

posted by Fergie @ 6/15/2006 10:26:00 AM