If a government agency claims that you have indecent images on your hard drive and opens an investigation, you can be forced to give up your keys.
It doesn't matter if you're innocent - your data is out there now. Forever.
The one 'escape' from RIPA key demands is in section 53:
unless it is shown that the key was not in his possession
after the giving of the notice and before the time by
which he was required to disclose it.
Usual caeavts apply: IANAL etc
I'd rather have a judge say to me 'we think you're the wrong sort, go directly to jail' than have to sit there and say 'no, you will not have my keys, because I will not allow you to violate me in that way'.
I'm sure there are other bits of the legal system that are just as smelly. This is just one I'm familiar with technically.
It really feels like a manifestation of some dystopian novel.
I can't imagine being in that situation, it feels so utterly absurd. I can move some numbers through some wires, knowingly or unknowingly, or be arbitrarily targeted, and then somehow society/the state decides that I have to now do their tasks.
Meh. If it comes to it, I'll spend my time watching waves crashing at the beach until you decide to lock me in a box.
RIPA is psychological torture. Give us the keys or we'll take away your life. This is the society I live in. Bankrupt.