RIPA in action

Encryption keys part of RIPA in action. But I am surprised to find that the first case is Animal Rights Activists when the Act was more aimed at serious criminals, such as paedophiles and terrorists.

"Animal rights activists are thought to be the first Britons to be asked to hand over to the police keys to data encrypted on their computers. The request for the keys is being made under the controversial Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA). Once a request has been issued the authorities can then issue what is known as a Section 49 notice demanding that a person turn the data into an "intelligible" form or, under Section 51 hand over keys. Although much of RIPA came into force many years ago, the part governing the handing over of keys only passed in to law on 1 October 2007." Read more.....