The UK Information Commission is investigating possible risks to user privacy.
The U.K. has asked Microsoft for information about a new feature that takes screenshots of a laptop every few seconds. The company says that a feature called Recall will be exclusively available on new Copilot+ devices and will store encrypted snapshots on a local computer.
However, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) It is concerned about the security of the product, which activists have already called a "privacy nightmare". According to the Microsoft website , users can restrict the collection of screenshots, and the data is stored only locally, without access from Microsoft or others without access to the device.
The ICO emphasizes that companies should carefully assess and minimize risks to people's rights and freedoms before launching new products. A representative of the ICO said that requests are being made to Microsoft to understand the measures taken to protect user privacy.
The Recall function can view all past user activity, including files, photos, emails, and browser history. While many devices already have these capabilities, Recall also takes screenshots every few seconds and searches among them.
Some experts have expressed concern that the screen capture feature could seriously compromise users privacy. The concern is that people may start self-censoring and avoid visiting certain websites or working with confidential materials for fear that their actions may be recorded without their knowledge or consent. This can have a negative impact on freedom of expression and the right to privacy in the digital environment.
Microsoft representatives say that the privacy aspect was carefully considered during the development of the Recall function. Users will be able to manage data capture parameters. For example, they can exclude certain websites from recording or completely disable capture in the private mode of the Microsoft Edge browser, guaranteeing the inviolability of their confidential activity.
Moreover, many experts note that the Recall function has similarities with stories from dystopian works dedicated to total surveillance and control. They insist that the recording and further use of users ' personal information and multimedia should only be carried out if there are clear legal grounds and transparent mechanisms for obtaining informed consent. Of particular concern is how the rights of third parties who accidentally get caught in the frame during video calls, photo shoots, or other situations when the Recall function is active will be protected.
Some people worry that knowing the password may open access to a detailed user activity history. This may include requests from law enforcement agencies or potential changes to Microsoft's privacy policy in the future that provide for greater access to user data.
Microsoft said it will not remove information from screenshots containing passwords or financial data. Therefore, using a computer with the Recall function may not be safe for performing confidential actions.
The launch of the Recall feature has raised a lot of questions about data protection and privacy, and the ICO continues to look into the security measures taken by Microsoft.
The U.K. has asked Microsoft for information about a new feature that takes screenshots of a laptop every few seconds. The company says that a feature called Recall will be exclusively available on new Copilot+ devices and will store encrypted snapshots on a local computer.
However, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) It is concerned about the security of the product, which activists have already called a "privacy nightmare". According to the Microsoft website , users can restrict the collection of screenshots, and the data is stored only locally, without access from Microsoft or others without access to the device.
The ICO emphasizes that companies should carefully assess and minimize risks to people's rights and freedoms before launching new products. A representative of the ICO said that requests are being made to Microsoft to understand the measures taken to protect user privacy.
The Recall function can view all past user activity, including files, photos, emails, and browser history. While many devices already have these capabilities, Recall also takes screenshots every few seconds and searches among them.
Some experts have expressed concern that the screen capture feature could seriously compromise users privacy. The concern is that people may start self-censoring and avoid visiting certain websites or working with confidential materials for fear that their actions may be recorded without their knowledge or consent. This can have a negative impact on freedom of expression and the right to privacy in the digital environment.
Microsoft representatives say that the privacy aspect was carefully considered during the development of the Recall function. Users will be able to manage data capture parameters. For example, they can exclude certain websites from recording or completely disable capture in the private mode of the Microsoft Edge browser, guaranteeing the inviolability of their confidential activity.
Moreover, many experts note that the Recall function has similarities with stories from dystopian works dedicated to total surveillance and control. They insist that the recording and further use of users ' personal information and multimedia should only be carried out if there are clear legal grounds and transparent mechanisms for obtaining informed consent. Of particular concern is how the rights of third parties who accidentally get caught in the frame during video calls, photo shoots, or other situations when the Recall function is active will be protected.
Some people worry that knowing the password may open access to a detailed user activity history. This may include requests from law enforcement agencies or potential changes to Microsoft's privacy policy in the future that provide for greater access to user data.
Microsoft said it will not remove information from screenshots containing passwords or financial data. Therefore, using a computer with the Recall function may not be safe for performing confidential actions.
The launch of the Recall feature has raised a lot of questions about data protection and privacy, and the ICO continues to look into the security measures taken by Microsoft.
