The National Crime Agency has lost its attempt to force alleged hacker Lauri Love to hand over the passwords and encryption keys to his seized computers and hard drives.

In a landmark case, the security service failed to convince the court that it required access to all of the contents on Love's seized devices. Had the NCA won, it would have created a backdoor into personal encrypted devices for law enforcement.

"I am not persuaded by this argument," said Judge Nina Tempia. "The case management powers of the court are not to be used to circumvent specific legislation."

Love was "happy" with the outcome, and said it was a victory for personal data and rights to privacy.

"I'd say it's a victory, and it's an avoidance of a disaster," he said. "I have a feeling that the encryption issue is now dealt with."