Judge Rules Encypted Information Not Protected By Fifth Amendment

A judge in Colorado has ruled against a defendant's Fifth Amendment protection claim in a case involving encrypted data.

The defendant, accused of bank fraud has unsuccessfully argued that being forced to provide password information for her encrypted laptop violated her protection against self incrimination.

Encrypted files are virtually impossible to open without the password.  Authorities wish to inspect the files on her computer as they gather evidence to prosecute her for the accused crimes.

This case seems likely to head to the Supreme Court.  The issue of self-incrimination when it regards to potential encrypted evidence is certainly a gray area.  It should cause any one concerned with civil rights to take pause and follow the case.

For more see this source article.