Recall gets a recall – Microsoft pulls its main new AI feature before the Copilot+ PC release

Microsoft’s new range of Copilot+ PCs go on sale today but Recall – one of the main AI features that can record everything you do on the computer – has been pulled after security and privacy concerns.

Since its announcement in May, Recall was billed as the star of the show when it came to the new AI features of Copilot+ PCs.

The idea behind the feature is to give your computer a photographic memory so we can remember things you might have forgotten and find what you’re looking for even faster.

The PC would capture screenshots and store them locally.

But researchers found that data was stored in the unencrypted database and could be access by an outsider.

It was described at the time as “a hacker’s dream come true”.

In reaction to the controversy Microsoft has decided to pull Recall from release and make it available in the Windows Insider Programme.

In a blog post by Pavan Davuluri – the corporate vice president for Windows and devices said: “We are adjusting the release model for Recall to leverage the expertise of the Windows Insider community to ensure the experience meets our high standards for quality and security.

“This decision is rooted in our commitment to providing a trusted, secure and robust experience for all customers and to seek additional feedback prior to making the feature available to all Copilot+ PC users.

“Security is our top priority at Microsoft, in line with our Secure Future Initiative (SFI). This is reflected in additional security protections we are providing for Recall content, including “just in time” decryption protected by Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS), so Recall snapshots will only be decrypted and accessible when the user authenticates.

“The development of Copilot+ PCs, Recall and Windows will continue to be guided by SFI.”