Microsoft is addressing privacy concerns surrounding Recall, a new feature coming to Copilot+ PCs. Recall is an AI-powered tool designed to help users unearth past activities on their computer. This functionality naturally raises questions about user privacy, how data is stored, and who can access it.

Microsoft is making significant changes to Recall before its release later this month in an effort to alleviate these concerns. Here’s a breakdown of the key updates:

• Opt-in Feature: Recall won’t be automatically enabled. Users will be prompted to choose whether they want to activate it during the Copilot+ PC setup process.
• Windows Hello Authentication: An extra layer of security is being added for those who choose to use Recall. Accessing your Recall activity timeline will require Windows Hello verification, such as a facial scan or fingerprint.
• Enhanced Snapshot Protection: Microsoft is implementing additional safeguards for the snapshots Recall captures. These snapshots will be encrypted using “just-in-time” decryption, accessible only after Windows Hello authentication. The search index database will also be encrypted.
• On-Device Storage and Processing: Microsoft assures users that Recall snapshots will be stored solely on the device and linked to a specific user account. These snapshots won’t be used to train AI models. Users will have the option to block specific apps from being captured in snapshots, and they can also pause or delete snapshots entirely. Additionally, the AI processing that powers Recall will occur on the device itself.

In essence, Recall is designed to function like a photographic memory for your PC. Imagine looking for a specific shirt you saw online a few weeks back. With Recall, you can describe the item and potentially find it faster than sifting through your web browser history. Recall can search through information from chats, emails, productivity apps, and more.

A preview of Recall will be available on Copilot+ PCs starting June 18th.