Microsoft is delaying the launch of its controversial “Recall” feature, a key component of its upcoming Copilot+ PCs, following a significant backlash from cybersecurity experts and privacy advocates. The feature, which periodically takes screenshots of a user’s activity to create a searchable timeline of their computer usage, will no longer be broadly available at the launch of the new devices on June 18.
Instead, Recall will be shifted to a preview available only to participants in the Windows Insider Program in the coming weeks. This move allows the company to gather more feedback and address the widespread concerns that have been raised since the feature was announced. Microsoft stated the decision was based on its “commitment to providing a trusted, secure and robust experience for all customers.”
The criticism against Recall was swift and severe. Security researchers warned that the feature, by design, would create a centralized, unencrypted database of a user’s entire digital life on their device. They argued this database would become a prime target for malware and hackers, enabling them to easily steal sensitive information, including passwords, financial data, and private messages. Despite Microsoft’s assurances that all data would be processed and stored locally on the device, experts pointed out that once a device is compromised, the Recall database would be easily accessible.
Initially, Microsoft responded to the concerns by making the feature opt-in rather than on-by-default and adding further security enhancements. However, the sustained pressure from the security community appears to have forced a more significant re-evaluation. This delay marks a notable setback for one of the flagship AI features meant to define the new Copilot+ PC category. It underscores the profound challenges tech companies face in balancing the drive for powerful AI integration with the fundamental principles of user privacy and security. The company has not yet provided a new timeline for a broad release.
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