At one of my jobs dealing with medical research records we had a 15 character password to log into the comp + individual passwords to access individual files that way to protect the integrity of the research and patient's private info. To get the info off the server to see everything you would probably have needed at least 100 passwords.

If the guy was was using a 50 character password, I imagine he had multiple layers to it as well. Meaning, even if the cops cracked the first one (which would take a super comp years), they could find themselves just faced with more to actually get further.

let him go this time but keep an eye on him...
They can bug a phone... I wonder if they can actually bug his internet? Unless he is encrypting everything that comes and goes from his computer too..

man, i'm bitching enough, because we decided at work to create some random passwords using letters, numbers AND characters. stupid ones like $^`aB3, etc.... and even at 8 characters long, i'm still annoyed....

can you imagine if this guy just had "a" x50. I guess it would be just as secure as a completely random password, as long as he doesn't tell anybody.