Government gets tough on encryption

The UK government is finally ready to pass the third section of the 2000 Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, which will make it a crime not to disclose computer security keys if requested to do so by law enforcement agencies.

Home Office Minister Liam Byrne told Parliament that the increased use of encryption, including its standard inclusion in operating systems, meant that it is now necessary to introduce the powers in section three of the Act. 

Suspects who refuse to hand over encryption keys to law enforcement officials could face up to two years in prison under the legislation.

The Home Office is currently in the middle of a consultation on the Act, amid fears that financial instructions will move their headquarters out of the UK rather than having to give up master encryption keys that could put customer data at risk.