Privacy advocates have raised concerns about the new “Recall” feature offered by Microsoft for the upcoming CoPilot computer devices.
Microsoft likens the Recall feature to granting computers “photographic memory,” capturing screen shots every few seconds. Microsoft confirms that users can choose which screenshots the feature captures, in addition to the option to turn it off.
The Recall feature can search through all previous user activities, including files, images, email messages, and browsing history, by capturing screen shots every few seconds and searching through them.
Many social media users have shared their concerns, including Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, who expressed his opinion on the new feature, likening it to an episode of “Black Mirror” in a tweet, adding that he plans to disable the feature. Others pointed out that screen shots may contain proprietary or confidential information, questioning companies’ satisfaction with Microsoft recording this information. They also wondered how individuals appearing on screen in a video call or image would consent to it. Will they be given the option to consent? The feature also raised concerns about the exposure of information, including sensitive data such as passwords or banking information, in case of device breach.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has confirmed that the “Recall” feature is an “optional experience” and that it is committed to privacy and security. According to its website, users can “select the screenshots collected by the Recall feature.” The company stated in its statement that “Recall data is stored locally only and cannot be accessed by Microsoft or anyone without access to the device.
Microsoft emphasized that it “embraced privacy in the design of the Recall feature” from the beginning, and that users have control over what is captured. For example, users can choose not to capture screenshots of certain sites, and browsing in Microsoft’s Edge browser will not be captured.
