I was under the impression that key disclosure laws are present in many countries.
Even in the US, with amendments against self-incrimination, if the authorities already know you have encrypted some incriminating data, you can be ordered to hand over the key.
In the Colorado case, the police had intercepted a
telephone conversation in which the defendant, Ramona F.,
acknowledged her ownership of the laptop and alluded to
the existence of incriminating documents in the encrypted
portions of the hard drive.
...
I conclude that the Fifth Amendment is not implicated by
requiring production of the unencrypted contents of the
Toshiba Satellite M305 laptop computer.
Though you are right that the law in the UK seems very strict. As an international banker I would be weary bringing a master key or encrypted volume into the UK.
Even in the US, with amendments against self-incrimination, if the authorities already know you have encrypted some incriminating data, you can be ordered to hand over the key.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_disclosure_law#Legislation_...Though you are right that the law in the UK seems very strict. As an international banker I would be weary bringing a master key or encrypted volume into the UK.