Microsoft Recall

{{Short description|Feature of Microsoft Windows}}

Recall is a feature of Windows 11 that takes a screenshot of a user's desktop every few seconds and then uses on-device large language models to allow a user to retrieve items and information that had previously been on their screen. It was announced by Microsoft, alongside the integration of GPT-4o into Copilot and an upgraded user interface in Windows 11.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/microsoft-copilot-embraces-the-power-of-openais-new-gpt-4-o/ |last1=Khan |first1=Imad |title=Microsoft's Copilot Embraces the Power of OpenAI's New GPT-4o |date=May 20, 2024 |work=CNet |access-date=May 23, 2024 |archive-date=May 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523165249/https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/microsoft-copilot-embraces-the-power-of-openais-new-gpt-4-o/ |url-status=live }} Recall's release immediately caused controversy, with experts warning that the feature could be a "disaster" for security and privacy,{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=June 13, 2024 |title=Microsoft's all-knowing Recall AI feature is being delayed |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/13/24178144/microsoft-windows-ai-recall-feature-delay |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912202550/https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/13/24178144/microsoft-windows-ai-recall-feature-delay |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |access-date=September 22, 2024 |work=The Verge}} especially as users were initially forced to have Recall enabled.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/27/24255721/microsoft-windows-recall-ai-security-improvements-overhaul-uninstall |title=Microsoft's more secure Windows Recall feature can also be uninstalled by users |first=Tom |last=Warren |work=The Verge |date=September 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127020541/https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/27/24255721/microsoft-windows-recall-ai-security-improvements-overhaul-uninstall |archive-date=2024-11-27 |url-status=live}} This backlash prompted Microsoft to postpone its rollout.{{cite magazine| url=https://www.wired.com/story/microsoft-recall-off-default-security-concerns |title=Microsoft Will Switch Off Recall by Default After Security Backlash |date=June 7, 2024 |first=Andy |last=Greenberg |magazine=Wired |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127183520/https://www.wired.com/story/microsoft-recall-off-default-security-concerns/ |archive-date=2024-11-27 |url-status=live}} Microsoft changed the feature to opt-in and provided instructions for how to remove it.{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/retrace-your-steps-with-recall-aa03f8a0-a78b-4b3e-b0a1-2eb8ac48701c |title=Retrace your steps with Recall |website=Microsoft Support |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203123504/https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/retrace-your-steps-with-recall-aa03f8a0-a78b-4b3e-b0a1-2eb8ac48701c |archive-date=2024-12-03 |url-status=live}}

Backlash against Recall was centered on both security and privacy. Upon its release, Recall was described as a "potential security nightmare".{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/ai/2024/06/windows-recall-demands-an-extraordinary-level-of-trust-that-microsoft-hasnt-earned/ |title=Windows Recall demands an extraordinary level of trust that Microsoft hasn't earned |first=Andrew |last=Cunningham |work=Ars Technica |date=June 4, 2024}} The initial version of Recall saved all data to a plaintext database, making it very easy for the data to be stolen.{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/06/microsoft-makes-recall-feature-off-by-default-after-security-and-privacy-backlash/ |title=Microsoft is reworking Recall after researchers point out its security problems |first=Andrew |last=Cunningham |work=Ars Technica |date=June 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122192408/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/06/microsoft-makes-recall-feature-off-by-default-after-security-and-privacy-backlash/ |archive-date=2024-11-22 |url-status=live}} Later versions of Recall have added encryption.

Although Microsoft claims that all information from Recall is stored locally and that they cannot access it, their track record in regards to user privacy has led many to conclude that, even if their claims are true of the present version, it may not be true of later versions and that data from Recall will inevitably be used in the future for advertising.{{cite web|url=https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/microsoft-has-lost-trust-with-its-users-windows-recall-is-the-last-straw |title=A PR disaster: Microsoft has lost trust with its users, and Windows Recall is the straw that broke the camel's back |date=June 6, 2024 |first=Zac |last=Bowden |website=Windows Central}}