Encryption

FBI Over-Counted Encrypted Phones Connected To Crimes — By A Lot

The FBI significantly over-counted the number of encrypted phones it says are connected to ongoing criminal investigations but remain inaccessible to investigators without back door access.

For about seven months, the bureau has been telling Congress and the public that potential evidence on nearly 7,800 blocked devices continues to elude investigators. The statistic has been cited repeatedly by multiple officials and lawmakers to demonstrate what they say is the growing threat encryption software combined with a reluctance by manufacturers to provide a key, poses to national security and public safety. But in reality, the true number of devices that have impeded investigations, is likely to be a fraction of that, the FBI acknowledged in a statement Tuesday.

"The FBI's initial assessment is that programming errors resulted in significant over-counting of mobile devices reported through [the Operational Technology Division's] databases," the FBI said.