Microsoft has unveiled a new AI-powered feature called Recall for Copilot+ PCs. This feature allows Windows 11 users to search and retrieve their past activities on their PC. Recall records everything users do on their PC, including activities in apps, communications in live meetings, and websites visited for research.
Recall uses Copilot+ PC’s advanced processing capabilities to take images of your active screen every few seconds. The snapshots are encrypted and saved on your PC’s hard drive. Users can use Recall to locate the content they have viewed on their PC using search or on a timeline bar that allows them to scroll through their snapshots.
By performing a Recall action, users can access a snapshot from a specific time period, providing context for the event or moment they are searching for. It also allows users to search through teleconference meetings they’ve participated in and videos watched using an AI-powered feature that transcribes and translates speech.
Despite the privacy concerns, Microsoft ensures that the Recall index remains local and private on-device, encrypted in a way that is linked to a particular user’s account. Recall screenshots are only linked to a specific user profile and Recall does not share them with other users, make them available for Microsoft to view, or use them for targeting advertisements. Screenshots are only available to the person whose profile was used to sign in to the device.
Users can pause, stop, or delete captured content and can exclude specific apps or websites. Recall won’t take snapshots of InPrivate web browsing sessions in Microsoft Edge or DRM-protected content. However, Recall won’t actively hide sensitive information like passwords and financial account numbers that appear on-screen.
Read more: arstechnica.com