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Re:Full disk encryption is too good? by w1ntermute on Friday November 18, 2011 @04:31PM (#3253505)
https://www.xkcd.com/538/

It's common knowledge that the government has few qualms about violating its own laws. No doubt they won't allow some pesky legal restrictions stand in the way of cracking FDE.

Re:Full disk encryption is too good? by roc on Friday November 18, 2011 @04:50PM (#3253598)
Thankfully, not all branches of the government go to the $5 wrench solution as quickly, frequently and without fear of accountability.

While that's probably no comfort to anyone who winds up accused of terrorism [1], it does mean there's a large chunk of law enforcement officials for whom FDE is still a practical problem.

[1] The express-lane to the wrench-room, I'm sure.

Re:Full disk encryption is too good? by innoncent1 on Friday November 18, 2011 @07:05PM (#3254068)
Violence is far easier and much less expensive. No need to hire a PhD in physics/math and purchase expensive equipment. Why bother? Violence is universally understood (no language barrier). All you need is a few guys who have no feelings. They could buy the equipment they need at Walmart. A few hammers and some pliers. Job done.
Re:Full disk encryption is too good? by teaspoon on Friday November 18, 2011 @04:48PM (#3253584)
Are you suggesting that the FBI tortures every suspected pedophile and spammer who uses FDE?
Re:Full disk encryption is too good? by fleitz on Friday November 18, 2011 @04:53PM (#3253613)
I think he's suggesting that the US government uses pain up to and including the amount of pain induced by breaking a limb or organ failure to extract information from those it holds without trial. This assertion would seem to be consistent with the official position of the US government. Whether inducing pain equivalent to organ failure to extract information is a violation US or International law is probably a question best answered by the ICC.
Re:Full disk encryption is too good? by w1ntermute on Friday November 18, 2011 @04:59PM (#3253645)
> Whether inducing pain equivalent to organ failure to extract information is a violation US or International law is probably a question best answered by the ICC.

No doubt this question has already been answered on numerous occasions with respect to such violations in 3rd world countries and enemies of the US and its allies. However, the US government, for all practical purposes, is above international law.

Re:Full disk encryption is too good? by teaspoon on Friday November 18, 2011 @05:13PM (#3253698)
That's certainly true. If you're being held without trial, you're beyond the help of most technologies and pesky legal restrictions.
Re:Full disk encryption is too good? by potatolicious on Friday November 18, 2011 @05:00PM (#3253650)
No, but they may lie, coerce, and otherwise try to convince you to give up the password without laying a hand on you.

This might not sound so bad on paper, but I personally don't know what I would do when locked in a room with a professional interrogator.

Re:Full disk encryption is too good? by hugh3 on Friday November 18, 2011 @06:17PM (#3253953)
I am totally cool with the FBI lying, coercing and otherwise trying to convince criminals to give up the evidence against themselves, as long as they don't actually break out the wrench.

The idea that you can't be compelled to testify against yourself, present in many western legal systems, is a good one, and is designed to prevent both torture and false imprisonment due to torture-induced false confessions. But that doesn't mean it's not a good thing in those circumstances when a guilty person does incriminate themselves.

Re:Full disk encryption is too good? by burgerbrain on Friday November 18, 2011 @07:11PM (#3254084)
How exactly is coercion ok?

These are not criminals we are talking about. These are citizens accused of crimes.

Re:Full disk encryption is too good? by hugh3 on Friday November 18, 2011 @07:39PM (#3254157)
Right. But if they're innocent, then the evidence won't incriminate them.
Re:Full disk encryption is too good? by Karunamon on Saturday November 19, 2011 @01:16AM (#3254750)
Re:Full disk encryption is too good? by burgerbrain on Friday November 18, 2011 @07:47PM (#3254183)
Are you seriously pulling a "nothing to hide if you are innocent"? I can't believe this.