Microsoft updates Recall feature to address privacy concerns but Linux remains a safer choice for some
Microsoft has provided an important update to its upcoming Recall feature, exclusive to Copilot+ PCs, which aims to balance productivity with privacy and security. Recall allows users to retrieve information by capturing snapshots of their activity, such as documents, websites, or apps. This latest update emphasizes Microsoft’s renewed focus on user control and privacy, addressing some of the concerns users have voiced since the feature was first announced.
Recall is designed to enhance productivity by enabling users to quickly find things they’ve seen on their PC. The feature’s AI-driven capabilities take snapshots of user activity, making it easier to return to projects without having to remember where files or webpages were previously accessed. Microsoft stresses that this updated version of Recall processes and stores data locally, which not only improves performance but also allows users to continue using the feature without an internet connection. By keeping data on the device, Recall also aims to reduce latency and improve battery life.
If you're worried about privacy and security, you'll be able to uninstall Recall from Windows 11
The Recall feature of Windows 11 has not even launched yet, but it has proved endlessly controversial since it was first announced a few months back. Microsoft says that Recall will help users retrace their steps by taking snapshots of activity every few seconds, providing a way to step back in time and jump to an earlier activity.
Such was the uproar about the security and privacy implications of the feature, Microsoft has already made concessions. The company first pulled the feature from preview builds of Windows 11 to do further work on it, and then announced that it would be opt-in rather than enabled by default. Now it turns out that it will be possible to uninstall it completely.