Man Charged for Refusing to Hand Over Phone Codes Under Spy Law
Aston Hannis Busted for RIPA Breach
Police have charged 28-year-old Aston Hannis from Winchester under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA). He’s accused of failing to disclose the access codes to an electronic device, as demanded by officers investigating the case.
Hannis appeared in Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 18 July, where he was remanded in custody ahead of his next hearing.
What Exactly is RIPA?
RIPA lets UK authorities force suspects to hand over encryption keys or decrypt data on electronic devices. Refusing to comply can land you behind bars — up to two years, or five years if the case involves national security or child indecency.
Another High-Profile RIPA Case
This isn’t the first time RIPA has been wielded to crack down on locked devices. A year ago, Muhammad Rabbani, international director of campaign group CAGE, was found guilty under similar charges after refusing to provide his PIN. Rabbani claimed his devices held sensitive info linked to a man in Qatar who alleged torture by US custody.
