Microsoft has clarified that the AI Recall feature on Windows 11 is not optional. Last week's Windows 11 24H2, KB5041865 update had initially added Recall as an option under the Turn Windows features on or off dialogue, but the company later explained the option to uninstall Recall was added by mistake.
This means the so-called option has no real functionality, creating confusion among those who may want to disable the feature. However, Microsoft assures users that the mistakes will be fixed in an upcoming update.
In the meantime, Windows 11's Recall AI has raised privacy and security concerns.
What Is Recall AI?
Recall AI is an upcoming feature in Windows 11 that will take a snapshot of your screen every few seconds and use on-device AI to analyze and personalize content. This will enable you to search for anything you have done on your computer more easily.
Consider it like your device has a photographic memory that allows you to search for things by describing them. However, not all devices will support Recall AI; to use it, you must own a Copilot+ PC with these specs:
- An NPU with 40+ TOPS
- 16GB RAM
- 256GB storage
- Eight logical processors
If your device meets these requirements, you can use Windows Recall AI once it is released. The feature is said to be available for Windows Insiders in October 2024.
Privacy And Security Concerns Raised by Recall AI
While Recall AI will offer users convenience and efficiency, it raises several privacy concerns. Here's why:
- Recall AI’s constant screen monitoring could be considered a form of surveillance. Constantly capturing and analyzing your screen raises concerns about unauthorized data collection and its potential exploitation by Microsoft or any other third party.
- It stores all your data locally on your device, which makes it more vulnerable to breaches than cloud-based storage systems. We are sure Microsoft will implement some encryption measures to protect your data, but they may not be foolproof.
- The nature of this feature limits users' control over their data. Users are left with no choice but to accept the feature, which raises some questions regarding Microsoft's approach to data privacy.
Will Users Be Able to Uninstall Recall AI?
According to The Verge, when they asked Microsoft if they’ll allow Windows users to uninstall Recall completely, as shown in the Windows features list, they only confirmed that the option had been listed incorrectly for now.
While there are several benefits Recall AI brings with it, the potential privacy implications still raise serious questions. We hope that Microsoft addresses these concerns seriously and users find the right trade between convenience and privacy.
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