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Recall: Microsoft re-launches ‘privacy nightmare’ AI screenshot tool (www.bbc.com)

submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

78 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Microsoft says it has “listened to feedback” following a privacy row over a new tool which takes regular screenshots of users’ activity.

It was labelled a potential “privacy nightmare” by critics when it was unveiled in May 2024 - prompting the tech giant to postpone its release. It now plans to relaunch the artificial intelligence (AI) powered tool in November on its new CoPilot+ computers.

[...]

When it initially announced the tool at its developer conference in May, Microsoft said it used AI "to make it possible to access virtually anything you have ever seen on your PC", and likened it to having photographic memory. It said Recall could search through a users' past activity, including their files, photos, emails and browsing history.

[...]

But critics quickly raised concerns, given the quantity of sensitive data the system would harvest, with one expert labelling it a potential “privacy nightmare."

[...]

[Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft's corporate vice president of Windows and devices says] that "Windows offers tools to help you control your privacy and customise what gets saved for you to find later".

However a technical blog about it states that “diagnostic data” from the tool may be shared with the firm depending on individual privacy settings.

[Microsoft says in a blog post that users can remove Recall entirely by using the optional features settings in Windows.]

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 month ago (2 children)

being smart about it means not using an unsupported os

Or do not connect to the internet. I have Windows 98 SE installed in an emulator.. I know it's a bit old, but I don't connect to internet. :D

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

haha in fact I was thinking of installing Windows 95 instead, because I wasn't sure if Win 98 was too new. xD Its all just to play games.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago

Its all just to play games.

Ditto - that W3.11 install is just because of the Windows Entertainment Pack, I love a few of the games in it (like Pipe Dream). I don't even know if it's able to connect to the internet!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

if you don't connect to the internet this feature doesn't even do anything