Encrypt a file, you will commit a crime

May 25, 2005 by Dan in SoapBox,Tech with 4 Comments

A Minnesota appeals court has ruled that the presence of encryption software on a computer may be viewed as evidence of criminal intent.

Next, all chefs are murder suspects, while driving a car implicates you in bank robberies.

Yes, every technology has its ups and down – but most of the time the positives far outweigh the negatives. WAKE UP MINNESOTA!

http://option-two.com Eric

Wait, Does that mean since I use a computer I\’m Al Qaeda now?
Dan

Thank the GOVERNMENT for that classification.
http://chrisdzombak.net Chris

Hey government! Over here! I use encryption software! Come get me! (maniacal laugh)

This court must have been really misinformed. I hope. If they made that decision with a full understanding of encryption software, they are idiots. Dumber than I previously thought possible.

I’d also like to point out that Microsoft’s NTFS file system and Windows XP provide encryption. Does this mean that every business using Windows XP Pro has criminal intent?
Evalyn Gossett

wow!!!! that is really bad. The court has made a mistake — if ever a case should be appealed and won — this would have to be it.

Next, the government cannot, will not, and does not want to protect each and every citizen from identity theft.

And finaly, we know the government does not have a focus or even feel it is their role to maintain citizen privacy.

So that would explain how they could decide such a ridiculous ruling in this manner.