Microsoft has announced that it has “listened to feedback” after facing a privacy controversy over a new AI screenshot tool that regularly takes screenshots of users’ activity.
When the AI screenshot tool, called Recall, was first revealed in May 2024, critics called it a potential “privacy nightmare.” Because of this, Microsoft postponed its release to make changes.
The company now plans to relaunch Recall in November, specifically for its new CoPilot+ computers. The updated version has removed some of its more controversial features. For example, it will now be an opt-in AI screenshot tool, meaning users will have to choose to turn it on, whereas the original version was on by default.
The controversy drew attention from the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the country’s data protection authority. They looked into the AI screenshot tool and said they were informed that Microsoft had made a “series of changes” to address privacy concerns.
In a statement, the ICO said: “We will be continuing to assess Recall as Microsoft moves toward launch.”
A Tool with Photographic Memory
When Microsoft first introduced Recall at its developer conference in May, the company explained that the AI screenshot tool would allow users to access almost anything they had ever seen on their PC, comparing it to having a photographic memory.
Recall could search through a user’s past activity, including files, photos, emails, and browsing history. It was designed to help people find things they had worked on before by searching through desktop screenshots that were taken every few seconds.
However, privacy experts quickly raised concerns due to the vast amount of sensitive data this system could collect. One expert even called it a potential “privacy nightmare.”
Delayed Launch and Security Updates
Initially, Microsoft planned to launch Recall along with its CoPilot+ computers in June 2024. These were promoted as the fastest and smartest Windows PCs ever. The company assured users that changes had been made to make the tool more secure, but the launch was delayed again and is now planned for autumn.
Microsoft has since announced additional security measures for the tool. According to Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of Windows and devices, “Recall is an opt-in experience. Snapshots and any associated information are always encrypted.” He also emphasized that Windows has privacy tools to help users control what gets saved and searched later.
A technical blog about Recall mentioned that “diagnostic data” from the tool may still be shared with Microsoft, depending on individual privacy settings. However, the company reassured users that screenshots could only be accessed with biometric login (like fingerprint or face recognition), and that sensitive information, such as credit card details, wouldn’t be captured by default.
Only for CoPilot+ Computers
Recall will only be available on the CoPilot+ series of laptops, which come with powerful AI chips built in.
Professor Alan Woodward, a cybersecurity expert from Surrey University, noted that the new security measures are a significant improvement. He stressed, “Before any tool like Recall is used, it’s crucial to fully test the security and privacy features.” However, he also added that he would personally wait to use the tool until it has been tested by more users in real-world settings.
For now, Microsoft hopes the changes will calm concerns and provide users with a powerful AI tool that respects their privacy.
