Microsoft Hands Over BitLocker Recovery Keys to the FBI: Your Encrypted Data Isn't as Private as You Think

Microsoft has confirmed it will turn over BitLocker recovery keys to law enforcement including the FBI when presented with a valid warrant, and it has already done so in at least one high-profile case.The incident came to light in a federal fraud investigation on Guam involving alleged misuse of COVID-19 unemployment assistance funds. In early 2025, the FBI seized three laptops protected by BitLocker (Microsoft's built-in full-disk encryption, automatically enabled on most modern Windows PCs when users sign in with a Microsoft account). Unable to decrypt the drives directly, Investigators obtained a search warrant compelling Microsoft to provide the recovery keys stored in its cloud. Microsoft complied, handing over the keys in February 2025. This allowed the FBI to unlock the encrypted data without the device owners' permission or knowledge.

A Microsoft spokesperson told Forbes:

“While key recovery offers convenience, it also carries a risk of unwanted access, so Microsoft believes customers are in the best position to decide how to manage their keys.” (Yes, Blunt I know)

The company reportedly receives around 20 such requests per year globally and complies when legally required—provided the keys, escrowed in Microsoft's cloud (the default option for many users).The Core Privacy Risk: Cloud-Stored Keys = Third-Party Access BitLocker encrypts your entire drive, making data unreadable without the key. But when recovery keys are backed up to Microsoft's servers (as recommended and often defaulted), the company becomes the custodian. A warrant directed at Microsoft bypasses your encryption entirely granting law enforcement full access to your private files, communications, photos, financial records, and more without ever touching your device.Cryptography expert Matt Green (Johns Hopkins University) highlighted the issue:

“This is private data on a private computer and they made the architectural choice to hold access to that data.”

Once a capability like this exists and is used, it's extremely difficult to roll back, This demonstrates how easily encrypted data can fall into the wrong hands without your permission or even awareness.Don't Rely on Microsoft Held Keys. This isn't hypothetical it's documented and confirmed. If your BitLocker recovery keys are in Microsoft's cloud, a single warrant can expose your entire digital life. Never Use Cloud Storage, Get WardenShield Inferno the Ultimate Emergency Data Annihilation tool🔥 Protect the Data on your PC.

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