Good thing, or bad thing?

[mojo84]

I'm actually interested that there are 2 votes against, but no posts to defend that position. How can that be?

I saw this post after I voted and stated why.

[gringo pistolero]

I'm a yes vote. The government is not your friend.

Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.

[dicion]

I voted bad as I think the cops should be able to access the phone if a properly issued search warrant is rwceived, not just a rubber stamp search warrant. Without a search warrant, they shouldn't be able to access the phone whether encrypted or not.

Let's slippery slope this then, shall we?

Say tomorrow they invent a device that allows police to read your mind. Straight up everything in it. And they can do so with a warrant saying so.
Say that someone invents a way to encrypt your mind so that the aforementioned device no longer works without the encryption codes. What is your opinion then?

Now remember that a lot of people's ENTIRE LIVES are now kept in their mobile devices. Everything from banking information, to personal pictures, communications, everything. How is that any different? What if, during a 'search' approved by a warrant, they find out that the person is a member of a large number of legal anti-government sites and groups. That they own firearms, and believe in the second amendment. Information gained from the device, that is not related to the original search, can lead to much worse things.

[mojo84]

Do you not think they can seize your computers and search through the data on them now with a warrant? Why would a phone be different?

The key is a properly issued search warrant.

[lfinsr]

Do you not think they can seize your computers and search through the data on them now with a warrant? Why would a phone be different?

No they can't, it's encrypted also. I highly recommend it for everyone.

[Pawpaw]

Do you not think they can seize your computers and search through the data on them now with a warrant? Why would a phone be different?

The key is a properly issued search warrant.

And therein lies the rub. The government now snoops and records everything without a warrant. Once upon a time, they needed a warrant to tap your phone line. Now they just record everything and scan it at their leisure and for whatever reason they wish. "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. We're telling you everything is okay, so it must be true."

[Jumping Frog]

Do you not think they can seize your computers and search through the data on them now with a warrant? Why would a phone be different?

No they can't, it's encrypted also. I highly recommend it for everyone.

Bingo!

[mojo84]

This is not about data or voice that is being transmitted and captured without a properly issued warrant. This is about data on a storage device such as a phone being searched with a properly issued warrant. Why is it different than them being able, with a properly issued warrant, to search one's house and read one's letters, files and diaries?

Think of the convictions of child pornographers that were aided by the evidence on hard drives searched with a properly issued search warrant. Should that not be allowed?

[mojo84]

What about the computers of the Boston bombers and their friend/ accomplice? Should searching their computers have been off limits?

[jmra]

What about the computers of the Boston bombers and their friend/ accomplice? Should searching their computers have been off limits?

It's a matter of trust. Can you trust those in power not to abuse their authority? By the results of this poll it looks as if most don't.

[mojo84]

What about the computers of the Boston bombers and their friend/ accomplice? Should searching their computers have been off limits?

It's a matter of trust. Can you trust those in power not to abuse their authority? By the results of this poll it looks as if most don't.

I don't trust them either but I think practicality has to come into play. There are many ways for the government to abuse its power.

To those that don't trust, do you guys have your phone lines secured and the transmission of your voices garbled as it goes through the phone lines or cell system? What about emails? Do you have that data encrypted as its going through the phones lines? Do you only use secure email servers and clients? I guess you don't use credit or debit cards either? You turn your phones off and remove the batteries as you travel around? Do you destroy all written data so that you have none in your possession? What about snail mail? Do you get or send any snail mail or letters that is not written in code and destroyed immediately upon reading it? What do you do to ensure your mail isn't being intercepted and scanned prior to it showing up in your mailbox? What about your accessing this forum or any other internet site? Do you know for a fact you have an enpenetrable firewall that prevents hackers, government or others, from accessing your data on your computer? Surely you don't use google, yahoo or bing or do you? How often do you have your house swept for listening devices? Do you play white noise in your house at all times to eliminate eavesdropping from outside?

Encrypting your phone or hard drive is only a small part of being totally private and secure from an abusive government.

I think reforming how search warrants are issued is more practical.

[Dragonfighter]

What about the computers of the Boston bombers and their friend/ accomplice? Should searching their computers have been off limits?

It's a matter of trust. Can you trust those in power not to abuse their authority? By the results of this poll it looks as if most don't.

I don't trust them either but I think practicality has to come into play. There are many ways for the government to abuse its power.

To those that don't trust, do you guys have your phone lines secured and the transmission of your voices garbled as it goes through the phone lines or cell system? <SNIP>

Encrypting your phone or hard drive is only a small part of being totally private and secure from an abusive government.

I think reforming how search warrants are issued is more practical.

There is a lot of room between totally anonymous and allowing the government unfettered access. As to the Boston bombers, they weren't even on the radar so what was on their computers and how it might of helped is an exercise in hindsight...moot. But no, I don't think the government should have been allowed to just take their computer. You suspect them? Build enough probable cause and get a blasted warrant. That's all.

[jmra]

What about the computers of the Boston bombers and their friend/ accomplice? Should searching their computers have been off limits?

It's a matter of trust. Can you trust those in power not to abuse their authority? By the results of this poll it looks as if most don't.

I don't trust them either but I think practicality has to come into play. There are many ways for the government to abuse its power.

To those that don't trust, do you guys have your phone lines secured and the transmission of your voices garbled as it goes through the phone lines or cell system? What about emails? Do you have that data encrypted as its going through the phones lines? Do you only use secure email servers and clients? I guess you don't use credit or debit cards either? You turn your phones off and remove the batteries as you travel around? Do you destroy all written data so that you have none in your possession? What about snail mail? Do you get or send any snail mail or letters that is not written in code and destroyed immediately upon reading it? What do you do to ensure your mail isn't being intercepted and scanned prior to it showing up in your mailbox? What about your accessing this forum or any other internet site? Do you know for a fact you have an enpenetrable firewall that prevents hackers, government or others, from accessing your data on your computer? Surely you don't use google, yahoo or bing or do you? How often do you have your house swept for listening devices? Do you play white noise in your house at all times to eliminate eavesdropping from outside?

Encrypting your phone or hard drive is only a small part of being totally private and secure from an abusive government.

I think reforming how search warrants are issued is more practical.

No, I don't do all of those things but I do some of them especially the easy ones.

[Jim Beaux]

Yes for encryption.

I dont trust the government, the government doesnt trust me, and I dont intend to make things easy for them in any way.

I suspect the recent encryption fan fare is a marketing campaign for Apple publicity as Blackberrys have had encryption for years. Encryption for a mobile device is just a prudent practice.

BTW - On the subject of gov intrusion....When I was recently in for treatment a medical provider told me that I needed to answer a few "gov mandated" questions. The first question was, "Do you feel safe in your home?" I flashed and asked how that question pertained to treating my ailment. I then told her I refused to participate. She tried to asked a few more questions and I responded with a hungry Hannibal Lecter stare.

[Dragonfighter]

When you broke out the Chianti, did she back off?