Microsoft Revises AI Feature After Privacy Concerns

Microsoft is making changes to a controversial feature announced for its new range of AI-powered PCs after it was flagged as a potential “privacy nightmare.” The “Recall” feature for Copilot+ was initially introduced as a way to enhance user experience by capturing and storing screenshots of desktop activity. However, following concerns that hackers could misuse this tool and its saved screenshots, Microsoft has decided to make the feature opt-in. 

“We have heard a clear signal that we can make it easier for people to choose to enable Recall on their Copilot+ PC and improve privacy and security safeguards,” said Pavan Davuluri, corporate vice president of Windows and Devices, in a blog post on Friday.

The company is banking on artificial intelligence (AI) to drive demand for its devices. Executive vice president Yusuf Medhi, during the event’s keynote speech, likened the feature to having photographic memory, saying it used AI “to make it possible to access virtually anything you have ever seen on your PC.” 

The feature can search through a user’s past activity, including files, photos, emails, and browsing history. While many devices offer similar functionalities, Recall’s unique aspect was its ability to take screenshots every few seconds and search these too. Microsoft claimed it “built privacy into Recall’s design” from the beginning, allowing users control over what was captured—such as opting out of capturing certain websites or not capturing private browsing on Microsoft’s browser

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