Massachusetts Supreme Court says it can order you to decrypt your computer

06 Jul 2014 • engadget.com

Traditionally, the answer has been no: courts have previously ruled that ordering a defendant to decrypt their data was tantamount to self-incrimination – a violation of their 5th amendments rights. The Massachusetts Supreme Court sees things differently, and has recently ordered a defendant to decrypt his machine because the pertinent data’s presence on the computer was a “foregone conclusion.” In other words, if the police already know the data they are looking for is there, it doesn’t count as new testimony and is not protected by the 5th amendment.

One step forward, two steps back.