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.