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.
The tech giant repeated last week that Recall will not be an obligatory feature on the generative AI computers and that it will be an opt-in experience that can be completely removed.
Microsoft reasserted its plans for Recall following YouTubers sharing videos that suggested Recall was being installed on all PCs with Windows 11, version 24H2.
The Story So Far
When Recall was first announced during Microsoft Rebuild, Microsoft emphasised the inherent security issues attached to the feature. Although the screenshots would not apparently be accessible to Microsoft, they would also be indiscriminate with the images and information they captured, such as passwords and bank details.
The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) was prompted to take action due to the growing concerns surrounding the technology, leading to discussions taking place between itself and Microsoft.
Since then, Microsoft has introduced a number of security features to offset user concerns, such as encrypting the screenshots, safeguarded by the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) connected to Windows Hello.
In October, Microsoft shared that it has “the equivalent of 34,000 full-time engineers” working on its Secure Future Initiative (SFI) project to bolster its security infrastructure significantly.
