Microsoft’s new AI-powered computer history feature, Recall, is facing criticism among PC users for resembling a concept from the dystopian TV show “Black Mirror.” In addition to critics, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is investigating the feature to ensure user data privacy.
Recall is an AI feature developed by Microsoft that provides users with a history of activity across their entire computer. It works by taking screenshots of users’ activity in the background using AI to scan and create a searchable index of this activity. This allows users to easily retrieve something they did on their computer earlier in their history.
While Microsoft has assured that the screenshots will be stored locally on users’ computers, concerns have been raised about the visibility of sensitive data like passwords and health information, which will not be deleted. Cybersecurity experts are worried about the potential misuse of this information by bad actors, such as hackers. Furthermore, because Recall operates in the background 24/7, users may not have full transparency about the data being stored.
The ICO, an independent public authority responsible for data privacy rights in the UK, is working with Microsoft to understand the safeguards in place to protect user privacy. The ICO emphasizes the need for organizations to be transparent with users about how their data is used and to assess and mitigate risks to people’s rights and freedoms.
It will be crucial to observe how the responses from users, security professionals, and government officials impact the future of Microsoft’s Recall feature. As discussions around data privacy and AI continue, companies like Microsoft will need to prioritize user trust and data protection in their product development processes.
Article Source
https://mashable.com/article/microsoft-recall-ai-feature-uk-investigation
