Microsoft Recall is bad at filtering sensitive information
Whenever there are privacy concerns voiced about software, they are almost always downplayed. But fears about Microsoft Recall appear to be well justified.
Announced and previewed last year, Microsoft Recall is a feature of Windows 11 which Microsoft says enables users to retrace their steps. It does this by capturing screenshots of computing activity, which can then be analyzed and searched using AI to home in on data, return to a project, and much more. But there have been lots of vocal protests about the potential for invasions of privacy.
Microsoft postpones Recall so new Copilot+ PCs will launch without this flagship feature
Since it was first announced, the Recall feature for Copilot+ PC has been a major headache for Microsoft. The AI-powered feature has raised all manner of privacy concerns, and now the company has responded by putting the brakes on rolling it out.
Microsoft doesn't use words like "delay" or "postpone", of course. In an update to an earlier blog post about the rollout of the feature, the company now says: " We are adjusting the release model for Recall to leverage the expertise of the Windows Insider community to ensure the experience meets our high standards for quality and security".
Microsoft has quietly withdrawn Windows 11 24H2 after Recall privacy fiasco
When Microsoft announced the new Recall feature that is coming to Windows 11 later this year, privacy concerns were very quickly voiced by many.
In response to this, the company announced that Recall would not be enabled by default and would be made an opt-in feature. This PR move was made very publicly for maximum attention, but Microsoft has also withdrawn the build of Windows 11 which provided early access to Recall.
Microsoft rolls out major privacy overhaul for Windows 11 Recall after user backlash
Microsoft is responding proactively to user feedback on its upcoming Recall feature for Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs, enhancing privacy controls ahead of its release. This move comes as part of an ongoing effort to balance powerful AI functionalities with user privacy and security, a critical focus as the tech giant pushes forward with innovative new features designed to redefine personal computing.
Introduced on May 20, the Recall feature aims to transform the way users interact with their PCs by enabling them to retrieve previously viewed content through an AI-powered visual timeline. This system captures and encrypts snapshots of the user's screen, storing them locally to maintain privacy. Users can manage, pause, or delete these snapshots at their discretion, ensuring control over their digital footprint.
