Microsoft has once again postponed the launch of its AI-driven Windows Recall feature, initially slated for rollout to Insiders with Copilot+ PCs in October. This decision follows the company’s earlier attempt to introduce the feature in a public preview on June 19, coinciding with the debut of the new Copilot+ AI PCs.
As reported by The Verge, the delay stems from substantial customer feedback urging Microsoft to enhance the default data privacy and security measures associated with Recall. In a statement to BleepingComputer, Brandon LeBlanc, senior product manager for Windows, emphasized the company’s dedication to providing a secure and trustworthy experience with Recall. He noted, “We recently shared updates to the security and privacy architecture for Recall in a Windows Blog post.” To address these concerns, Microsoft has decided to extend the testing period, with the feature now expected to be available for preview by December.
Recall, which was first introduced in May, is designed to capture screenshots of active windows at regular intervals. It employs an AI model and a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) to analyze these images on the device, storing the data in an SQLite database. Windows 11 users will later be able to search this information using natural language queries, allowing Recall to retrieve pertinent screenshots.
Privacy nightmare
Since the announcement of Recall, there has been growing apprehension among customers, privacy advocates, and cybersecurity experts regarding the potential privacy and security risks associated with the feature. Many have expressed concerns that malicious actors could exploit Recall to access sensitive user data.
In light of this feedback, Microsoft has assured users that they will need to opt-in to enable Recall on their devices. Additionally, users will be required to confirm their presence in front of the PC through Windows Hello to utilize the feature. David Weston, Microsoft’s vice president for Enterprise and OS Security, further clarified that Recall can be uninstalled, automatically filters out sensitive content, and allows users to exclude specific applications, websites, or in-private browsing sessions.
Weston also highlighted that Recall will incorporate malware protection features, including anti-hammering and rate-limiting measures, to bolster user security.
