NEW YORK: Amid privacy concerns, Microsoft has announced a delay in the rollout of its “Recall” AI-powered feature, which tracks computer usage, citing the need for additional feedback and scrutiny before a broader release.
The tech giant said that Recall, designed to monitor activities ranging from web browsing to voice chats and create a searchable history stored on the computer, will not be included with its new computers next week as initially planned. Instead, Microsoft will offer a preview of Recall to a smaller group via its Windows Insider Program (WIP) in the coming weeks.
The decision comes in response to growing concerns regarding privacy risks associated with the Recall feature. Microsoft aims to address these concerns and ensure a trusted, secure, and robust user experience for all customers by seeking additional feedback before a broader release.
Recall was originally scheduled to be broadly available for Copilot+ PC users on June 18. Copilot+ PCs, which incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) features, were introduced by Microsoft in May. However, the company has opted to delay the feature’s release in light of the need for further evaluation and community input.
The Windows Insider Program (WIP) serves as a platform for public software testing, allowing a community of enthusiastic users to preview upcoming features for the operating system. Microsoft intends to leverage feedback from this community to refine and improve the Recall feature before making it accessible to all Copilot+ PC users.
Privacy concerns surrounding Recall have been amplified since its announcement, with social media users expressing apprehension about potential privacy breaches. Elon Musk, a prominent figure in the tech industry, likened Recall to a “Black Mirror episode,” drawing parallels to the dystopian themes explored in the Netflix series.
