Microsoft has yet again delayed the launch of its new Recall feature for Copilot Plus PCs due to security concerns.
Recall is designed to take screenshots of nearly everything you see and do on a Copilot Plus PC, making it a “controversial” feature according to The Verge, which reported on the latest delay.
The debut of Copilot Plus PCs was initially planned for June, but a delayed launch followed a second delay in October. The feature is now due to land in December.
Brandon LeBlanc, Senior Product Manager of Windows, told the US technology news website, The Verge: “We are committed to delivering a secure and trusted experience with Recall."
To ensure we deliver on these important updates, we’re taking additional time to refine the experience before previewing it with Windows Insiders."
“Originally planned for October, Recall will now be available for preview with Windows Insiders on Copilot Plus PCs by December.”
Recall Security Update
The delays to Recall’s release on Copilot Plus PCs are due to security vulnerabilities arising from the decision to make it an opt-in experience and making it possible for the feature to be completely uninstalled as well.
Since June, Microsoft has been working to encrypt the Recall database so that it can only be accessed using Windows Hello, Microsoft’s biometric authentication tool.
The Verve explains that Recall leverages AI models that connect to Windows 11 on Copilot Plus PCs to take multiple screenshots during sessions. These can then be searched through and revisited by scrolling through an "explorable timeline".
The screenshots include user files, photos, email, and browsing history, which may be seen as a useful feature by some. However, the adviser on AI and privacy, Dr Kris Shrishak, described the tool as a potential “privacy nightmare.”
Because Recall was whipped out of the PCs at the last minute, some bugs have been appearing related to its appearance and controls in Windows 11.
