Sticking with an AI theme, Microsoft also recently announced changes to Windows that will incorporate Copilot+, its AI solution.
One of the new features of Copilot+ is called “Recall” where screenshots are frequently captured of whatever desktop activity is happening at that moment and then storing them. This was advertised as a function to make users’ lives easier.
Recall is a feature that can search through a users’ past activity, including their files, photos, emails and browsing history. In addition, the tool also takes screenshots every few seconds and stores them.
Users were understandably concerned about the privacy aspects of this and claimed that hackers may be able to misuse the tool and the saved screenshots. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) also weighed in on the discussion and have said they are making enquiries about it.
As a result of the concerns raised, Microsoft have backpedalled and now confirmed that users will have control over what Recall accesses and saving screenshots will be an opt-in choice during setup that is turned off by default.
Microsoft say the updates will be implemented before Copilot+ PCs officially launch on June 18th.
