INFOWORLD GRIPE LINE BY ED FOSTER Bookmark this page

  
Replying To:
Content immaterial (none / 0) (#1)
by Fushigi on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 07:16:24 AM PDT

The comparison to a briefcase scan is a red herring; scanning the contents of a brief case is like scanning a computer's directory/files, but there's nothing to say a printed document can't be encrypted as well. Does the CBP have the right to demand decryption keys for a printed document?

Ultimately, whether the content of the encrypted files is legal or not is not the issue. The emotional arguments behind it (kiddie porn, terrorist plans, etc.) are all irrelevant to the 5th amendment issue. If a person is suspected of nefarious activities they can be flagged for further investigation without any rights violations. Or just be turned away at the border.

Ed mentions the slippery slope - kiddie porn today, RIAA enforcement arm tomorrow. Indeed, should people be forced to reveal their secrets to the State, there's no telling what the State will do with that information. In addition, while we know what is legal today, that doesn't mean the same content will be legal tomorrow.



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