Microsoft has aggressively introduced game-changing GenAI products in the market. The company was quick on the uptake with Copilot technology, integrating its software into its latest range of PCs.
That said, one product in particular has received divided opinions: Recall. The search feature has caused controversy in the security and privacy fields over its ability to capture screenshots from users’ systems. Still, Microsoft is forging ahead with Recall and has announced that the product has been rolled out to specific Windows users for testing.
Record of Past Activity, Data
Recall is one of the seminal features of Microsoft’s new Copilot+ PCs. It captures screenshots of PC activity, enabling users to search for anything they have viewed. In its official documentation, Microsoft says:
“Recall utilizes Windows Copilot Runtime to help you find anything you’ve seen on your PC. Search using any clues you remember or use the timeline to scroll through your past activity, including apps, documents, and websites. Once you’ve found what you’re looking for, you can quickly jump back to the content seen in the snapshot by selecting the relaunch button below the screenshot. The UserActivity API is what allows apps to provide deep links, so you can pick up where you left off.”
Security researchers quickly discovered that nefarious actors could potentially hijack the underlying data captured in screenshots, which are stored locally. In response, Microsft promised to add further security features, encrypt the search index database, and ensure Recall was turned off by default.
Responding to User Input
“With a commitment to delivering a trustworthy and secure Recall (preview) experience on Copilot+ PCs for customers, we’re sharing an update that Recall will be available to Windows Insiders starting in October,” Microsoft said in an updated blog post.
“As previously shared on June 13, we have adjusted our release approach to leverage the valuable expertise of our Windows Insider community before making Recall available for all Copilot+ PCs. Security continues to be our top priority and when Recall is available for Windows Insiders in October we will publish a blog with more details.”
Microsoft’s Windows Insider Program is a community with millions of registered members. The community previews new Windows features, providing feedback to Microsft engineers to help the company fine-tune products before general release.
Microsoft has not revealed a date for the broader release of Recall.
Closing Thoughts
While Microsoft is certainly in a prominent position in the GenAI market with its own tools and its strategic alliance with OpenAI, it has been at the center of a slew of security blunders in recent months. In order to establish itself as a trusted leader in the AI market, the company simply can’t afford more missteps.
The company’s response to the security professionals who reviewed Recall was smart. Not only have they listened to their advice and taken quick and affirmative action, but an initial testing phase with the Windows Insider community will no doubt help settle some of the security concerns that still linger.
AI technology carries some risks. It’s a new frontier where the only way to know the capabilities of the technology is to try new things. Sometimes these new approaches introduce security challenges. However, data can never be knowingly put at risk. With this measured approach, Microsoft is demonstrating its commitment to this principle.
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