Microsoft Backflips on Recall

Superpower for Forgetful Minds? Microsoft's New Feature Hits a Snag! Is your PC's memory a bit too good? Security concerns put the brakes on a cool AI feature. Learn what this means for your new Copilot+ PC

Microsoft's recently announced an AI innovation dubbed the Recall feature, designed for their new Copilot+ PCs. Recall promises to be your digital memory bank. Well now they’re hitting the brakes.
What is Recall?
Imagine a virtual assistant that remembers everything you've seen on your PC – websites, documents, even images. That's the idea behind Recall. This AI tool can take screenshots and allows you to search your past activity… but as expected, everybody lost their cookies in a big way!
Why the Security Concerns?
While Recall sounded like a productivity booster, security researchers discovered a chink in its armor. Hackers could potentially exploit vulnerabilities to access the data Recall collects. This raised a rather large red flag, prompting Microsoft to prioritise user safety.
Microsoft's Response: Putting Security First
Taking swift action, Microsoft  have announced that Recall will be disabled by default on Copilot+ PCs - which have already launched (just quietly). Users will have the option to activate it if they choose, but it won't be switched on automatically.
Taking Security Seriously:
Microsoft is also implementing additional security measures. The data Recall collects will be encrypted, and users will need Windows Hello verification (PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition) to access their Recall timeline and search functions. I think this will make it more clunky to use, but it’s a work in progress.
Finding the Right Balance:
This highlights the delicate balance between innovation and security in the world of AI. Microsoft is clearly committed to both. They're pushing the boundaries of AI integration, but not at the expense of user privacy. At the very least they are putting on a bid to catch the drips from the proverbial egg in the face.

​