After heavy criticism

Microsoft postpones launch of “Recall” function

Windows PCs tailored to the use of artificial intelligence are to be marketed under the Copilot+PC brand in future.

(Bild: Microsoft)

Following fierce criticism, Microsoft is postponing the launch of a new Windows search function that is supposed to save screen recordings every few seconds. It was originally due to become available on June 18 with a new type of PC. 

Now the function called "Recall" will be tested at a later date, initially on a smaller scale in the Windows Insider Program, Microsoft announced on Thursday.

According to the company, "Recall" should make it easier to find information on a PC. Software with artificial intelligence analyzes what can be seen on the many screenshots and creates a directory. This should help, for example, if you can no longer remember the name of a travel website you visited, but still remember that palm trees and a beach were there. You should then be able to find the page again by searching for "palm trees and beach".

"Data protection disaster"
However, some AI security researchers warned of a data protection disaster after the announcement of "Recall". They came to the conclusion that cyber attackers could also access the lists under certain circumstances. Last week, Microsoft announced improved security for the "Recall" data. In addition, the feature should no longer be switched on by default when setting up the PC, but users would first have to activate it themselves. The criticism persisted, and now the postponement has followed.

Microsoft and manufacturers of Windows computers want to launch a new PC category on the market on June 18 that will be more tailored to the use of artificial intelligence. The device category is called "Copilot+PC", in reference to Microsoft's AI assistant called "Copilot".