Tech Firms are Barring Microsoft's Unnerving 'Recall' Functionality
Privacy-Focused Browsers Block Microsoft's Recall Feature
Microsoft's Recall, an AI-powered tool that takes screenshots of everything done on a Windows 11 device, has been met with resistance from privacy-focused platforms like Brave and AdGuard.
Brave and AdGuard's Stance on Recall
Brave and AdGuard have taken steps to block Recall due to its intrusive nature. Brave blocks Recall by default for all browser tabs, marking them as "private" to prevent screenshots from being taken. AdGuard, on the other hand, includes a toggle to disable Recall as part of its tracking and privacy protection suite.
Both companies acknowledge that Recall is off by default in Windows 11 and only available on certain devices, but they act preemptively for users who might activate it or distrust its safeguards.
Signal's Response
The messaging app Signal has also blocked Recall to protect privacy-sensitive content, adding pressure on Microsoft and AI developers to reconsider the implications of such features.
Microsoft's Response
Microsoft has implemented some security measures such as integration with Windows Hello and avoiding snapshots of private browsing windows. However, companies like Brave and AdGuard consider these measures insufficient and have built their own layers of protection in response.
Recall's Continued Existence
Despite the backlash, Recall continues to exist, serving as a marketing opportunity for privacy-focused app developers who block it. Recall is automatically enabled on Microsoft's Copilot+ PCs, creating a "photographic memory" of user activity.
User Control
Users can toggle Recall back on in Brave if they choose to. AdGuard also offers settings to block other Windows tracking features, including the collection of telemetry data.
In summary, AdGuard and Brave are blocking Recall because they see it as a significant privacy risk due to its screen-capturing nature in the background, which can capture and store sensitive personal content without clear, ongoing user control or consent.
[1] Brave's Blog Post: https://brave.com/blog/brave-1-81-release-notes/ [2] AdGuard's Blog Post: https://blog.adguard.com/2022/05/05/adguard-7-21-release-notes/ [3] TechCrunch Article: https://techcrunch.com/2022/05/11/brave-adguard-block-microsofts-recall-feature/
- Artificial Intelligence-driven tools like Microsoft's Recall are under scrutiny, as privacy-focused browsers Brave and AdGuard have taken a stand against it due to concerns about its intrusive nature and potential for capturing sensitive data.
- In response to Recall, tech companies have been pushed towards reconsidering the implications of such features, as the messaging app Signal has also blocked the tool to protect privacy-sensitive content.
- The existence of Recall continues to spark debate, with some viewing its continuation as a marketing opportunity for competitors, who block it and offer enhanced privacy features as part of their solution in data-and-cloud-computing and tech-oriented spheres, such as Gizmodo.
