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Microsoft Re-launches ‘Privacy Nightmare’ AI Screenshot Tool

Microsoft is set to relaunch its AI-powered screenshot tool, Recall, in November after facing widespread criticism over privacy concerns. Originally described as a “privacy nightmare” when introduced in May 2024, the tool’s release was postponed after backlash from users and privacy advocates.

Recall, which is designed to take regular screenshots of users’ activity to help them retrieve past information, will now be relaunched on Microsoft’s new CoPilot+ computers. Significant changes have been made to address the privacy issues that sparked controversy earlier this year. One of the key adjustments is that the tool will now be opt-in, rather than turned on by default, as it was initially planned.

The concerns around Recall prompted the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to launch an inquiry into Microsoft’s handling of user data. The ICO confirmed that Microsoft had since made several changes to the product, but it would continue to monitor the situation as the tool nears its new launch date.

When Microsoft first unveiled Recall at its developer conference in May, the company promoted it as an AI-driven tool that offers users a way to access virtually anything they had viewed on their PCs. It compared Recall to having a “photographic memory,” as it captures desktop screenshots every few seconds to allow users to search through their files, photos, emails, and browsing history.

However, privacy experts immediately raised concerns about the vast amounts of sensitive data the tool could potentially collect. One cybersecurity expert even warned that Recall had the potential to become a “privacy nightmare.”

Following the backlash, Microsoft delayed the launch, initially scheduled for June, and has since implemented enhanced security measures. The company assured users that the screenshots and any associated data would now be encrypted and that access would be restricted by biometric login. Additionally, sensitive information, such as credit card details, would not be captured by default.

Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of Windows and devices, confirmed that the company had taken user feedback seriously and made significant changes. “Recall is now an opt-in experience,” he explained, adding that users would have control over their privacy settings, including what data is saved and shared with Microsoft for diagnostic purposes.

The tool will only be available on the CoPilot+ range of laptops, which feature powerful AI chips. While some security experts, like Professor Alan Woodward of Surrey University, have acknowledged the improvements Microsoft has made, he remains cautious. “The security and privacy aspects of tools like Recall need to be thoroughly tested before deployment,” he noted, adding that he would personally wait to see how the tool performs in real-world scenarios before opting in.

Microsoft’s revamped Recall tool is set to debut in November, alongside its highly anticipated CoPilot+ computers, offering users a glimpse into the future of AI-enhanced personal computing.

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