Microsoft unveiled a new AI-powered feature called Recall at a recent Build conference event. This feature is designed for Windows 11 users and allows them to search and recover their past activities on their PC. Recall records everything users do on their PC, including app activities, communications in live meetings, and websites visited for research. Despite encryption and local storage, privacy concerns have been raised by some Windows users.
According to Microsoft, Recall uses the advanced processing capabilities of Copilot+ PC to take encrypted snapshots of the user’s screen every few seconds. Users can search for specific content they have viewed on their PC using Recall or scroll through a timeline bar to access snapshots from a particular time period. The feature also allows users to search teleconference meetings and view transcribed and translated speech from videos.
Although Recall promises privacy by keeping the screenshots local and encrypted, concerns about potential privacy violations still linger. Microsoft reassures users that the screenshots are tied to a specific user’s account and are not shared with others or used for targeted advertising. Users have the ability to pause, stop, or delete captured content, exclude specific apps or websites, and ensure that sensitive information is not captured.
Recall has similarities with previous Windows features like Timeline in Windows 10, which was discontinued in 2021, and third-party apps like Rewind for Mac. To use Recall, users will need to have a PC Copilot Plus device powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon. The default allocation for Recall storage is 25GB on a 256GB device, which can store approximately three months of snapshots. Users can adjust the allocation in their PC settings, and old snapshots are deleted once the allocated storage is full.
Microsoft states that Recall is still in testing and will gather customer feedback to improve controls for enterprise customers and enhance the overall user experience. The feature is aimed at providing users with a way to easily access and review their past activities on their PC.
In conclusion, Microsoft’s Recall feature presents an innovative way for Windows 11 users to search and recover their past activities on their PC. While privacy concerns have been raised, Microsoft assures users that the feature is secure and private, with controls in place to manage captured content. As Recall continues to evolve through testing, users can expect improvements to enhance their experience with the feature.
Article Source
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/05/microsofts-new-recall-feature-will-record-everything-you-do-on-your-pc/
