Despite Microsoft's assurances of a secure and encrypted Recall experience, Beaumont has demonstrated that the database is accessible even if you're not an admin on a PC. Privacy campaigners have called the feature a potential "privacy nightmare", and the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office is making inquiries with Microsoft over its use of the AI-powered feature. Microsoft is reportedly discussing whether to change the setup process, which currently enables Recall by default on Copilot Plus PCs with no option to disable it during the setup process.
Key takeaways:
- Microsoft is launching a new AI-powered feature called Recall, which screenshots everything a user does on their PC and allows them to search and retrieve anything in seconds. This feature is part of the new Copilot Plus PCs debuting on June 18th.
- Cybersecurity expert Kevin Beaumont warns that Recall could be a cybersecurity disaster as it stores data in a database in plain text, making it easy for attackers to extract the database and its contents.
- Despite Microsoft's assurances of a secure and encrypted Recall experience, privacy campaigners have called it a potential 'privacy nightmare'. The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office is making inquiries with Microsoft over its use of the AI-powered feature.
- Microsoft is reportedly discussing whether to change the setup process of Recall, which is currently enabled by default on Copilot Plus PCs and cannot be disabled during the setup process unless a specific option is ticked.