Microsoft's Recall AI feature, a feature capable of automatically taking screenshots of someone's computer screen, will reportedly not be launching with the June 18 batch of Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs as initially planned.

The recall will change from being a preview experience that is widely available for Copilot+ PCs next week to a preview that is exclusively available in the Windows Insider Program, as part of a move the tech giant has described as an attempt to guarantee that that the software meets its stringent standards for quality and security.

Release of the feature to all Copilot+ PCs will be contingent upon receiving input via its Insider Community of testers. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) of the United Kingdom expressed concern and attention to Microsoft, which led to the postponement of the release.

The tech giant claims that the data acquired by Recall is saved locally and cannot be accessed by Microsoft or any other third party without device access. Users can restrict the pictures that Recall collects. It also said that a hacker would have to physically access the user's device, unlock it, and log in to view saved screenshots.

Microsoft Recall's Privacy Concerns

However, at the time, a representative for the ICO said that before introducing any new products onto the market, businesses need to thoroughly assess and minimize risks to people's rights and freedoms. 

All of a user's prior activity, including files, images, emails, and browsing history, maybe searched through with Recall. Although this is already possible with many devices, Recall also periodically takes screenshots and searches for them.

Recall is also able to find past activities through simple contextual clues. According to Microsoft, the method uses semantic relationships in a clothes search to associate words like "peacock" with blue. A slide show or a marketing line for a team discussion can also be found using Recall. Even with merely contextual cues, it offers specifics.

Experts on Recall

According to Dr. Kris Shrishak, an expert in AI and privacy, "Recall" could reportedly become a nightmare for privacy because users may become less accustomed to the device simply because they are aware that screenshots would be taken while they are using it.

Meanwhile, Jen Caltrider, the leader of Mozilla's privacy team, suggested that the modifications would make it easier for someone who knows a user's password to view their history.   

Recently, a post on GitHub showed a new system dubbed "Total Recall" had features that made it clear how simple it is to abuse Recall's capabilities and obtain private information from its users. Alexander Hagenah, a white-hat hacker, created this to highlight its weaknesses.

Other experts also offered their opinions on this new Copilot+ function. Security expert Kevin Beaumont recently published a thorough analysis in which he asserted that there is a significant risk that could ultimately outweigh the Copilot+ program.

Beaumont thought that Recall was ill-conceived, even if he acknowledged that it could only draw a specific type of user population given its intriguing experiences. 

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