Microsoft is rolling out its controversial Recall feature, an AI-powered tool that takes screenshots of user activity on Windows 11 PCs, to select Windows Insider program members. The feature, which has been recalled multiple times due to privacy concerns, is now available as a preview version for a “gradual rollout” to Insiders.
Recall uses AI to “remember” user activity by capturing screenshots every few seconds. Initially, the feature faced criticism for storing sensitive data as unsecured plain text files and screenshotting sensitive information like credit card numbers and social security numbers.
Microsoft addressed some of these concerns in September by making Recall an opt-in feature, requiring Windows Hello authentication to access Recall data, and securing sensitive data. The company claims that Recall data is processed locally on the device and not sent to the cloud, and users can pause or delete screenshots and filter out certain content.
Despite these changes, concerns remain about the potential risks of using Recall, with some critics labeling it “spyware” due to its ability to capture everything on the screen. Microsoft has stated that it cannot access or view Recall data, but users still need to trust the company to protect their data.
