Microsoft being investigated over new 'Recall' AI feature that tracks your every PC move
Is Microsoft's 'Recall' AI a Privacy Nightmare?
Microsoft's new AI feature, Recall, which tracks and stores PC activity using AI-powered screenshots, has sparked privacy concerns and criticism for its intrusive nature. The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is investigating the feature, emphasizing the need for transparency and data protection. Recall's capability to store sensitive information locally, including passwords and personal data, has raised alarms among cybersecurity experts about potential misuse by hackers.
What are the main concerns raised by the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) regarding the Recall feature?
The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has expressed significant concerns regarding Microsoft's new AI-powered feature, Recall, which involves the continuous background capture of screenshots on users' PCs23. The ICO's primary issues center on the need for transparency and data protection. They emphasize that organizations must clearly inform users about how their data is used and ensure that personal data processing is strictly necessary for defined purposes. Moreover, the ICO stresses the importance of considering data protection from the initial stages of product development and rigorously assessing and mitigating any risks to individuals' rights and freedoms2. The ICO is actively making inquiries with Microsoft to understand the privacy safeguards that have been put in place for the Recall feature, reflecting their proactive approach to upholding data privacy standards26.
What specific aspects of Microsoft's Recall feature have led to its comparison with the "Black Mirror" series?
Microsoft's Recall feature has been compared to the "Black Mirror" series due to its intrusive nature and potential for privacy violations. Recall consistently takes screenshots of users' activity on their PC, creating a searchable index of this activity using AI. This always-on screenshotting raises concerns about the collection and storage of sensitive data, including passwords, addresses, and health information, which won't be removed and will be visible to anyone who has access to the files on the device. The constant surveillance aspect of the feature and its potential for abuse have led to the "Black Mirror" comparison.