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This is sort of why I think it may come down to your choice of algorithms. For example, let's say I buy a hypothetical external hard drive. This external drive has built in encryption, and I have to enter a password using a keypad on the drive before I can mount it. Should I be legally compelled to enter the combination?

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Not in the USA. 5th amendment and all.

While I agree with you and believe that the 5th amendment does protect you in theory, this hasn't really been tested in US courts. The law may decide that encryption is a safe rather than a language. In that case the 5th amendment won't protect you. Hopefully that won't be the case.

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