Microsoft Recall

Recall is a feature of Windows 11 that takes a screenshot of a user's desktop every few seconds and then uses on-device large language models to allow a user to retrieve items and information that had previously been on their screen. It was announced by Microsoft on May 20, 2024, alongside the integration of GPT-4o into Copilot and an upgraded user interface in Windows 11. ^[1] Recall's release immediately caused controversy, with experts warning that the feature could be a "disaster" for security and privacy, ^[2] especially as users were initially forced to have Recall enabled. ^[3] This backlash prompted Microsoft to postpone its rollout. ^{[2] [4]} Microsoft changed the feature to opt-in and provided instructions for how to remove it. ^[5]

Backlash against Recall was centered on both security and privacy. Upon its release, Recall was described as a "potential security nightmare". ^[6] The initial version of Recall saved all data to a plaintext database, making it very easy for the data to be stolen. ^[7] Later versions of Recall have added encryption. ^[8]

Although Microsoft claims that all information from Recall is stored locally and that they cannot access it, their poor track record in regards to user privacy has led many to conclude that, even if their claims are true of the present version, it may not be true of later versions and that data from Recall will inevitably be used in the future for advertising. ^[9]

References

1. Khan, Imad. "Microsoft's Copilot Embraces the Power of OpenAI's New GPT-4o". Archived from the original on May 23, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
2. Warren, Tom (June 13, 2024). "Microsoft's all-knowing Recall AI feature is being delayed". The Verge . Archived from the original on September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
3. https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/27/24255721/microsoft-windows-recall-ai-security-improvements-overhaul-uninstall Archived 2024-11-27 at the Wayback Machine Microsoft’s more secure Windows Recall feature can also be uninstalled by users.
4. https://www.wired.com/story/microsoft-recall-off-default-security-concerns Archived 2024-11-27 at the Wayback Machine Microsoft Will Switch Off Recall by Default After Security Backlash.
5. https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/retrace-your-steps-with-recall-aa03f8a0-a78b-4b3e-b0a1-2eb8ac48701c Archived 2024-12-03 at the Wayback Machine Retrace your steps with Recall.
6. https://arstechnica.com/ai/2024/06/windows-recall-demands-an-extraordinary-level-of-trust-that-microsoft-hasnt-earned/ Windows Recall demands an extraordinary level of trust that Microsoft hasn’t earned
7. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/06/microsoft-makes-recall-feature-off-by-default-after-security-and-privacy-backlash/ Archived 2024-11-22 at the Wayback Machine Microsoft is reworking Recall after researchers point out its security problems.
8. https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/27/24255721/microsoft-windows-recall-ai-security-improvements-overhaul-uninstallMicrosoft’s more secure Windows Recall feature can also be uninstalled by users.
9. https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/microsoft-has-lost-trust-with-its-users-windows-recall-is-the-last-straw A PR disaster: Microsoft has lost trust with its users, and Windows Recall is the straw that broke the camel's back