Microsoft Hands BitLocker Keys to FBI, Raising Privacy Concerns
Technology
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Moneycontrol•24-01-2026, 10:01
Microsoft Hands BitLocker Keys to FBI, Raising Privacy Concerns
- •Microsoft has provided BitLocker recovery keys to the FBI, allowing access to encrypted laptops, as reported by Forbes.
- •BitLocker, Microsoft's full-disk encryption, often backs up recovery keys to Microsoft's cloud by default.
- •This design enables Microsoft to access and share keys with authorities when legally compelled.
- •The case involved a federal fraud investigation in Guam, where the FBI obtained a warrant for keys to seized laptops.
- •Microsoft receives approximately 20 law enforcement requests annually for BitLocker recovery keys, sparking renewed privacy debates.
Why It Matters: Microsoft's default cloud backup of BitLocker keys allows law enforcement access, raising significant privacy concerns.
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