Microsoft to delay controversial AI feature 'Recall' amid privacy concerns

Microsoft has announced that it will delay the rollout of its new AI-powered feature, "Recall," initially planned to debut with its Copilot+ PCs next week. Instead, the feature will undergo further testing within the Windows Insider Program (WIP), following some privacy concerns raised by users and experts.

The Recall feature is designed to track user activity, including web browsing and voice chats, to create a searchable history on the device. This capability, while potentially beneficial for users who want to recall past actions, has sparked fears over privacy and security. Critics argue that such a feature could be exploited by malicious actors to gain access to sensitive information stored on users' computers.

In light of these concerns, Microsoft has made Recall an opt-in feature, requiring users to explicitly enable it during setup. To enhance security, users who wish to utilize Recall must authenticate using Windows Hello methods, such as facial recognition or fingerprint scans. Additionally, Microsoft has implemented "just in time" decryption to ensure data protection.

Moreover, Microsoft has assured users that all data processed by Recall will stay on the device and not be sent to the cloud, addressing concerns about potential data breaches. Despite these assurances, some security experts remain skeptical. They liken Recall to a built-in keylogger because of its extensive tracking capabilities.

The decision to delay the feature's broad release indicates Microsoft's effort to address user feedback and enhance privacy protections. According to a blog post from the company, they aim to gather more input from the WIP community before making Recall widely available to Copilot+ PC users.

(With input from agencies)