Signal, the popular chat application known for its commitment to user privacy, has expressed dissatisfaction with the current iteration of Microsoft Recall. In a bid to protect private conversations, Signal has activated certain Digital Rights Management (DRM) features within Windows, effectively preventing Recall from capturing screenshots of its chat windows.
Concerns Over Privacy
Recall, which is not enabled by default, has been criticized for its lack of precision in how it captures screenshots. While it wisely avoids incognito-mode browser windows, it indiscriminately targets other applications, including those that handle sensitive communications. Signal, which prioritizes chat privacy, finds the automatic screenshot feature unacceptable.
In light of the absence of customizable settings that would allow developers to limit Microsoft’s oversight on the desktop, Signal has opted for a DRM solution. By applying a DRM flag to its application window, Signal ensures that Recall—and any other screenshotting tool—will overlook its content.
As Signal articulated, “Apps like Signal have essentially no control over what content Recall is able to capture, and implementing ‘DRM’ that works for you (not against you) is the best choice that we had. It’s like a scene in a movie where the villain has switched sides, and you can’t screenshot this one by default either.”
New Features and User Control
The recent introduction of the “Screen security” setting in Signal Desktop for Windows 11 comes with a default activation. Users who wish to disable this feature will encounter a warning and must confirm their decision to proceed. While this measure may seem somewhat heavy-handed, Signal acknowledges the valid reasons some users might have for wanting to take screenshots. For instance, accessibility tools such as screen readers or magnification software may not operate effectively without this functionality. Notably, this DRM application is limited to the local device.
Recall made a rocky entrance during Microsoft’s 2024 Build event, initially intended to facilitate users in revisiting their previous work. However, the execution resembled a rough prototype, leading to widespread criticism from cybersecurity experts and privacy advocates alike. This backlash prompted Microsoft to revisit and refine the tool.
In April 2025, Recall resurfaced in the Windows Insider Release Preview channel, following a tentative preview of its revamped version at the end of 2024. The feature remains opt-in and retains a “Preview” label as of now. Microsoft asserts, “You are always in control of what apps and websites get saved in snapshots.” Yet, Signal offers a more sardonic perspective on Recall, quipping, “‘Take a screenshot every few seconds’ legitimately sounds like a suggestion from a low-parameter LLM that was given a prompt like ‘How do I add an arbitrary AI feature to my operating system as quickly as possible in order to make investors happy?'”
