Microsoft gave customers' BitLocker encryption keys to the FBI — Redmond confirms that it provides recovery keys to government agencies with valid legal orders

Microsoft complied with an FBI search warrant in 2025 to provide encryption keys for three laptops, allowing the agency access to data they couldn't otherwise read. While Microsoft receives around 20 requests annually for BitLocker keys, most fail due to users not storing recovery keys in the cloud. This incident marks the first known instance of Microsoft providing such assistance to the government. BitLocker is Microsoft's encryption system for Windows 11, designed to prevent unauthorized access but can lead to data loss if keys are forgotten. The practice of backing up BitLocker keys online raises concerns about potential government access, contrasting with Apple and Meta's encryption systems that safeguard stored keys.