Microsoft’s newly introduced “Recall” feature for Copilot Plus PCs is sparking deep privacy concerns. This new AI tool, which tracks every move you make on your computer, is now under official investigation in the UK. Recall aims to provide computers with a “photographic memory,” allowing users to revert to specific points in time by storing actions for later retrieval. Such extensive tracking has raised significant privacy issues among users and regulatory bodies. The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has initiated a formal investigation into this feature.
Windows Recall Under Scrutiny
Recall has drawn comparisons to an episode of Black Mirror, leading to criticism from PC users, and prompting the ICO to investigate the new AI feature. As an independent public authority reporting to the UK Parliament, the ICO is responsible for protecting individuals’ data privacy rights. The ICO expects organizations to be transparent with users about how their data is used and to process personal data only as necessary to achieve specific purposes. The ICO has stated that it is in discussions with Microsoft to understand the measures in place to protect user privacy.
Why Does Recall Raise Concerns?
Windows Recall essentially extends the “history” feature found in browsers by archiving all user activity on the computer through screenshots. These screenshots, containing text and images, are scanned and interpreted by AI to be recalled later at the user’s request.
Microsoft has assured that all screenshots taken by the AI will be stored locally on the device and will not be accessible to the company. Users also have the freedom to delete any of the screenshots. However, these screenshots may contain sensitive information such as passwords, addresses, and health data, which could be accessed by anyone using the device. Given that the feature operates continuously and captures screenshots at regular intervals, the amount of collected data could be substantial, posing a potential treasure trove for hackers.
Currently, Windows Recall is in a preview stage and is not available to all users. Feedback from users and concerns raised by regulatory bodies may lead to modifications of the feature.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s Recall feature for Windows, designed to meticulously track user activities and allow for later retrieval, has triggered significant privacy concerns. The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is investigating the potential privacy implications and Microsoft’s data protection practices regarding this feature. The outcome of this investigation and the subsequent adjustments to the Recall feature will be crucial in addressing these privacy concerns and determining its future implementation.
