> I believe judges have compelled people to surrender decryption keys.
Doesn't seem to be a widespread practice. As far as I can see, the only Federal Appeals court case to have confronted the issue ruled against compelling a suspect to decrypt their own laptop.
> It is in concept no different to having a magical safe which can't be opened by any method except the owner's key. The court does have the authority to compel you to surrender that key
It is different, but only because you have the explicit right to remain silent. The US government can legally compel you to do lots of things, but not talk (or otherwise communicate information that's potentially against your interest...generally).
Doesn't seem to be a widespread practice. As far as I can see, the only Federal Appeals court case to have confronted the issue ruled against compelling a suspect to decrypt their own laptop.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_Amendment_to_the_United_S...
> It is in concept no different to having a magical safe which can't be opened by any method except the owner's key. The court does have the authority to compel you to surrender that key
It is different, but only because you have the explicit right to remain silent. The US government can legally compel you to do lots of things, but not talk (or otherwise communicate information that's potentially against your interest...generally).