Microsoft has announced the temporary suspension of the new “Recall” feature on the new “Copilot Plus” computers after receiving widespread negative feedback regarding privacy and security concerns.
Microsoft introduced this feature as part of its efforts to enhance the integration of artificial intelligence in everyday computing. The feature captures screen shots every few seconds, leveraging AI to enable searching and interacting with visible content on the screen, including text and images. However, this feature raised concerns about the potential misuse and data leaks.
Users and cybersecurity experts criticized the continuous storage and processing of screen captures, pointing out that they could be vulnerable to malicious attacks, particularly as they contain exploitable vulnerabilities to access sensitive information without user consent.
In response to these criticisms, Microsoft has decided to make the “Recall” feature optional during the preview phase and disable it by default. The company announced on its official website that privacy and security are its top priorities, affirming that it is taking steps to reassess the impact of the feature on user privacy.
Additionally, Microsoft has implemented other changes such as requiring facial recognition through the Windows Hello feature to activate and use the feature, and encrypting the search indexing database.
The company announced its commitment to conducting a comprehensive review of the “Recall” feature and modifying the security procedures associated with it. According to its press release, the company plans to conduct rigorous tests with users who agree to participate in testing this feature, aiming to gather more data and enhance security.
This incident marks a significant turning point in how tech companies address public feedback on artificial intelligence features.
As Microsoft continues to address the challenges and criticisms associated with the “Recall” feature, the focus will remain on how to strike a balance between innovation and protecting user privacy.
