privacy implications Archives

AppWizard

May 24, 2025

Signal blasts Microsoft over Recall privacy failings, as secure messaging app is forced to fudge a way of blocking the controversial Windows 11 feature

Signal has introduced a new feature in its Windows 11 application that blocks Microsoft's Recall functionality to enhance user privacy. This 'screen security' setting is activated by default for Windows 11 users and is part of Signal's efforts to protect shared content on its platform. Recall captures screenshots of user activity on Copilot+ PCs, which raised privacy concerns. While Microsoft has improved Recall, issues with its interaction with privacy-focused applications like Signal remain. The feature is specifically applicable to users with Copilot+ PCs equipped with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Users can disable the screen security setting through Signal Settings > Privacy > Screen security, with a warning about the privacy implications of doing so.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Signal’s new Windows update prevents the system from capturing screenshots of chats

Signal has updated its Windows application to enhance user privacy by introducing a feature called "screen security," which prevents screenshots on Windows 11. This update responds to privacy concerns raised by Microsoft's Recall functionality, which captures screenshots for user activity tracking. Although Microsoft paused Recall due to public backlash, it resumed testing the feature as opt-in. With screen security enabled, users will see a blank screen when attempting to take a screenshot, but this may affect functionalities like screen readers. Users can disable this feature in Signal Settings, but will receive a warning before confirming the change. Signal hopes that developers will consider privacy implications more thoughtfully in the future.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Google’s ML Kit GenAI APIs with Gemini Nano: On-Device AI for Privacy-Preserving Android Apps

Google announced on May 14, 2025, the expansion of its ML Kit offerings with new GenAI APIs powered by the Gemini Nano model, aimed at providing Android developers with access to advanced AI features while ensuring user privacy through on-device processing. The ML Kit GenAI APIs include four key capabilities: summarization, proofreading, rewriting, and image description. These APIs process data locally, keeping user data on the device, ensuring consistent functionality without internet connectivity, and avoiding recurring server costs. This development enhances the accessibility of sophisticated AI capabilities for Android developers and aligns with consumer privacy concerns. The architecture allows for future expansion of capabilities as Gemini models evolve.

AppWizard

February 27, 2025

Google’s SafetyCore App Secretly Scans All Photos on Android Devices

Google's SafetyCore app was launched in October 2023 as part of system updates for Android devices, designed to classify content like spam and explicit material through on-device image analysis. It operates locally using machine learning, avoiding cloud uploads, and is promoted as a privacy-enhancing feature. However, it requires 2GB of storage and operates in the background without prior user disclosure, leading to criticism regarding its transparency and potential privacy implications. Users discovered its existence through online discussions, with some labeling it as "spyware." Although Google claims that SafetyCore only activates upon app requests and does not report findings back to the company, the closed-source nature of the app raises concerns about independent audits and user trust. Advocates for privacy emphasize the need for transparency in technology, especially regarding features that access personal data. Users can disable SafetyCore through the Settings menu, but many remain unaware of this option. The situation highlights a broader issue of balancing innovation with user consent in the tech industry.

Winsage

December 3, 2024

Windows Copilot+ PCs aren’t there yet: 8 must-change upgrades for 2025

Intel's Lunar Lake and AMD's Ryzen AI 300 CPUs are expanding the market for AI-infused Copilot+ PCs beyond Arm-powered laptops, featuring neural processing units (NPU) capable of 40 trillion operations per second. The new baseline specifications include at least 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. However, the initial features of Copilot+ PCs have been underwhelming, lacking transformative AI integration, and privacy concerns have arisen with the Windows Recall feature, leading to its retraction. The Copilot AI assistant requires an internet connection, limiting functionality, and generative image capabilities are also constrained by this requirement. Current local image generation models do not match the quality of cloud-based solutions, and the focus on NPUs has overlooked the potential of GPUs in gaming laptops. The Copilot+ designation is currently limited to thin-and-light laptops, excluding desktop PCs and gaming laptops. Applications must utilize the Windows Copilot Runtime for full potential, but few currently do. Lastly, the high prices of Copilot+ PCs hinder widespread adoption.

AppWizard

November 19, 2024

This app brings the Pixel Screenshots experience to any Android device

PixelShot is an Android app developed by Mehul Kanzariya that enhances screenshot management for all Android devices, extending features previously exclusive to the Pixel 9 series. It uses on-device AI to analyze screenshots, allowing users to search for extracted text and relevant information. Users can add notes, organize screenshots into collections, and the app is free and ad-free for devices running Android 11 or later. While it does not upload screenshots to the cloud, it sends extracted text for summarization using a cloud-based AI model, with assurances that the text is not stored online. Limitations include the potential introduction of in-app purchases or ads as the user base grows, the inability to process images without text, and the need for manual checks to ensure screenshots are processed, as the app does not analyze them in the background.

Winsage

November 3, 2024

Microsoft’s Recall feature for Windows pushed back again as privacy and security matters keep the AI tool on hold

Microsoft's AI-driven Recall feature, designed to capture and record desktop activity in Windows 11, has faced delays due to privacy and security concerns. Critics have raised alarms about the potential for sensitive personal information to be captured, highlighting vulnerabilities such as the lack of data encryption. Initially postponed to enhance privacy measures, Microsoft planned a testing phase for October 2024 but announced another delay on Halloween, pushing the release back to December 2024 for Windows Insider Program testers with Copilot+ PCs. The company is focused on improving data collection control and secure information storage. There are speculations that Recall could be abandoned if privacy and security issues are not adequately addressed.

Winsage

September 28, 2024

How to install and uninstall Microsoft Edge | Digital Trends

Microsoft Edge is the default web browser for Windows, with mixed user opinions regarding its features and privacy. It integrates AI capabilities and is difficult to remove from Windows systems. Edge is available on multiple platforms, including Apple and Chromebook. To install Microsoft Edge on Windows, users can download it from an alternative browser or the Microsoft Store. For macOS, users can download it from the official site and follow the installation prompts. On Chromebook, users can install it via the Google Play Store. Uninstalling Microsoft Edge on Windows can be challenging as it is a default application. Traditional uninstall methods may be disabled in some regions, and alternative methods can disrupt system functions. Users can ignore Edge by setting a different browser as the default or use the Registry Editor to enable the uninstall option. PowerShell commands and third-party uninstallers like Wise Program Uninstaller can also be used, but caution is advised due to potential system instability. To prevent Microsoft Edge from reinstalling after uninstallation, users can modify the Windows Registry to disable automatic updates for Edge.

Winsage

September 2, 2024

Windows 11 preview references AI feature that searches inside audio and video files for specific words

Microsoft is introducing an 'intelligent media search' function in a Windows 11 Canary build, which allows users to search for specific spoken words within their stored audio and video files by transcribing them. This feature, spotted in build 27695, aims to enhance user experience by enabling functionalities like locating mentions in recorded meetings and helping content creators find specific moments. Users must consent to the scanning of their media files, and an AI model will be downloaded to transcribe and index the files. The feature is similar to the previously controversial Recall feature, which faced backlash over privacy concerns. Intelligent media search will be exclusive to Copilot+ PCs, equipped with a Neural Processing Unit capable of performing at least 40 trillion operations per second. Users have expressed concerns about potential misuse of scanned information and security risks associated with the feature.

Winsage

August 23, 2024

As Microsoft breaks awkward silence around its controversial Recall feature, privacy questions remain

Microsoft's Recall feature, initially set to launch with Copilot+ PCs on June 18, faced privacy concerns leading to its suspension. The launch was delayed, and it was made available only to Windows Insiders starting in October. Security experts have raised questions about the feature's appeal to casual users and its potential data collection implications, particularly regarding sensitive information. The full release of Recall may not occur until 2025 due to the holiday season slowdown in development. Key questions remain about user transparency, protection of sensitive applications, and authentication measures for accessing Recall's database.