A contentious feature that Microsoft had unveiled for a new line of artificial intelligence-powered PCs is being changed after it was identified as a possible “privacy nightmare”.
The “Recall” function for Copilot+ was marketed by the firm as a means to simplify users’ life by taking and saving screenshots of their desktop activities.
However, Microsoft is making the function opt-in instead after some complained that hackers could be able to utilise the tool and its saved screenshots improperly.
Following concerns, the UK’s data watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), informed the BBC that it was “making enquiries” with Microsoft regarding the tool.
Corporate vice president of Windows and devices Pavan Davuluri stated on Friday, “We have heard a clear signal that we can improve privacy and security safeguards and make it easier for people to choose to enable Recall on their Copilot+ PC.”
A blog article was provided by Mr. Davuluri with the update.
During Microsoft’s developer conference in May, the company unveiled its new PCs with a prominent display of the “Recall” capability. The business is depending on artificial intelligence (AI) to increase consumer interest in its products.
At the keynote address of the event, executive vice president Yusuf Medhi explained that the feature employed artificial intelligence (AI) “to make it possible to access virtually anything you have ever seen on your PC” and compared it to photographic memory.
This tool allows users to search through their previous browsing history, files, emails, and images.
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The tool would also take screenshots every few seconds and search them, even though many other gadgets already did this.
Microsoft claimed that Recall “built privacy into its design” from the beginning and that users would be able to choose what information was recorded, for example, by choosing not to record private surfing on Microsoft’s Edge browser or specific websites.
According to the statement, the feature will be changed to give users a “clearer choice” to save screenshots while configuring their PCs, and it would be turned off by default otherwise.
The feature will also need to be enabled via Windows’ “Hello” authentication process, and users will need to provide “proof of presence” in order to see or search through their timeline of saved activity in Recall.
The upgrades will be put into effect prior to the launch of Copilot+ PCs on June 18.
