Microsoft postpones the launch of its controversial Recall AI feature
When was the Recall AI feature originally announced by Microsoft?
The Recall AI feature was originally announced by Microsoft at an event in May.
What privacy and security measures has Microsoft implemented for the Recall AI feature following criticism?
Microsoft has implemented several privacy and security measures for the Recall AI feature following criticism:
- Opt-in: Recall will now be an opt-in feature, meaning users will have to choose to enable it during the setup of a Copilot+ PC.
- Windows Hello Authentication: Users will need to verify their identities through a Windows Hello authentication method, such as facial recognition or fingerprint scan, before they can access the encrypted Recall timeline.
- Local Processing: Recall processes data locally on the user's device, and the information is not sent to Microsoft.
- Encryption: Snapshots are encrypted by Device Encryption or BitLocker, which are enabled by default on Windows 11.
- Limited Access: Recall doesn't share snapshots with other users that are signed into Windows on the same device.
- Control over Snapshots: Users can turn off saving snapshots, pause temporarily, filter applications, and delete their snapshots at any time.
Despite these changes, Microsoft has chosen to delay Recall's launch and will make it available to the Windows Insider Program for further testing and feedback.
How does the Recall AI feature function to collect and store user data?
The Recall AI feature functions by taking screenshots of a user's activity every few seconds and storing them in the "Recall timeline." This allows users to find anything they've ever looked at on their computer, including web pages, images, documents, emails, presentations, and chat threads. The feature processes data locally on the device, and Microsoft assures users that their information is kept secure. However, there have been concerns regarding privacy and security, as anybody who knows the user's PIN can still access the Recall snapshots.