Microsoft has reintroduced its AI tool, Recall, in Windows 11 after months of backlash over concerns about user privacy and security. The new version requires users to opt-in to saving snapshots of their activity and enroll in Windows Hello for secure access. This change aims to alleviate concerns that the previous version could be exploited by malicious actors. However, some experts believe this may not be enough to quell widespread criticism of the tool’s potential risks.
Recall allows users to quickly search for and retrieve previously performed tasks on their PC using AI-powered Copilot+. The feature captures regular snapshots of activity, but users can pause or control what is saved at any time. Microsoft hopes that these adjustments will ease user concerns, but some critics argue that the changes may not be sufficient.
The tool was initially suspended in May 2024 after widespread criticism from security and privacy advocates, who warned about its potential risks, particularly in sensitive situations such as intimate partner violence cases. It is currently available to insiders with access to the Windows 11 Build 26100.3902 preview version, with broader rollout planned for the future.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/04/microsoft-is-putting-privacy-endangering-recall-back-into-windows-11