Microsoft’s Recall AI feature, part of the Windows Copilot+ PC program, periodically takes snapshots of a user’s screen and stores them locally – ostensibly to allow users to track and return to previous activities.
The feature can currently be turned off in the settings, but users are now concerned by a statement from the tech giant that has been interpreted as plans to make it impossible for users to uninstall the program.
Recall was previously listed as a feature that could be removed via the Control Panel, but Microsoft has confirmed that this was a bug and will be “fixed” in an upcoming update. This is interpreted by many to mean that users will not have the option to uninstall Recall at all.
“We are aware of an issue where Recall is incorrectly listed as an option under the ‘Turn Windows features on or off’ dialog in Control Panel, this will be fixed in an upcoming update”, explained Windows executive Brandon LeBlanc.
The move has raised questions about whether Microsoft will even make it possible to delete the feature in the future. Some observers believe that users in the EU may be able to do so (due to legislation such as the Digital Markets Act), but that the outlook for users outside the EU is much bleaker.
Windows Recall will be released in a limited beta version in October and later rolled out to a wider audience.S
Linux does not force unwanted features on users
Recall has also been criticized for potentially posing a security risk because there are not enough guarantees that sensitive information, such as passwords or financial data, cannot be intercepted and stored. Although Microsoft itself claims that all data is stored locally and encrypted, there are growing concerns that this feature could be exploited by malware, among other things.
Linux magazine It’s FOSS is urging users not to tolerate Microsoft’s handling of Recall and to switch to open source operating systems, even if they have purchased a Copilot+ compatible computer.
“We already know that Qualcomm is working on bringing support for the Snapdragon X Elite series of processors to Linux, and it should be ready sometime in the future. With Linux, you get to take advantage of its open-source nature, where no one forces unwanted features on you; it’s all about choice and freedom”, writes It’s FOSS.