Microsoft has responded to criticism and privacy concerns over its new tool, Recall, by making significant changes before its relaunch in November. Originally labeled a potential “privacy nightmare” for taking regular screenshots of users’ activity, the tech giant has now made the tool opt-in and stripped out some controversial features.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) had raised concerns about Recall, prompting Microsoft to postpone its release and make adjustments. The tool, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), was designed to help users search through their past activity, including files, photos, emails, and browsing history.
Despite the initial backlash, Microsoft has announced additional security measures for Recall, including encryption of snapshots and biometric login access. The tool will only be available on the CoPilot+ range of computers, which feature powerful AI chips.
Cybersecurity expert Professor Alan Woodward praised the improvements but advised caution, stating that thorough testing of the tool’s security and privacy aspects is necessary before widespread adoption. He emphasized the importance of monitoring Recall in real-world scenarios before opting in.
As Microsoft prepares to relaunch Recall with enhanced privacy features, the tech community will be closely watching to see how users respond to the updated tool.
