Microsoft Announces Recall Feature to Return in October After Privacy Concerns Pause

Microsoft had previously developed the Recall feature based on artificial intelligence models, powered by AI but exclusively available for Microsoft Copilot+PC devices equipped with NPU chips for enhanced computing power, enabling the use of model-driven capabilities locally.

Initially scheduled for a June release alongside Copilot+PC, Microsoft made the Recall feature optional at the last moment before launch, eventually removing it entirely from the first batch of Copilot+PCs.

The removal stemmed from security researchers identifying the feature's privacy settings as inadequate. The Recall function captured screenshots every few minutes, saving them locally for AI analysis, inadvertently preserving a vast amount of user privacy data.

Security measures touted by Microsoft were found to be easily bypassed, with researchers developing a simple tool capable of decrypting these screenshots and even the database, allowing direct access to AI-analyzed results stored as text, containing extensive private information.

Faced with significant controversy, Microsoft had no choice but to delay the feature's launch, announcing the transition of the Recall function from a preview experience to a preview version available in Windows Insider in the coming weeks.

Today, Microsoft issued a statement announcing the gradual rollout of the Recall feature to Windows Insider users starting in October, contingent on the use of Copilot+PC devices. Users with different devices will not receive the Recall feature update.

Microsoft emphasized that security is a top priority, promising detailed blog posts about security improvements in October and leveraging the invaluable expertise of the Windows Insider community to enhance the Recall feature.