The feature is part of the Copilot+ AI programme.
The Information Commissioner's Office has said it is "making enquiries with Microsoft" over a new feature that can take screenshots of your laptop every few seconds.
The Recall feature will be installed on new Microsoft laptops and is part of its AI programme Copilot+, but it will store encrypted snapshots locally, reports Sky News.
However the Information Commissioner's Office says it is contacting Microsoft for more information on the safety of the product, which privacy campaigners have called a potential "privacy nightmare".
The feature records everything a user does by taking screenshots every few seconds, and allows the user to scroll back through their activity and search.
While Microsoft says it will help users search for items easier, Kevin Robertson, COO and co-founder of Acumen, said it is “basically spyware” that will be “abused on so many levels.”
“Imagine your PC taking screenshots of you putting in passwords, bank details etc, all just stored on your PC,” he said. “If your PC is compromised, or if that info is shared into Copilot etc., it's just liable to abuse.”
Microsoft said the files will all be stored locally on users' laptops and "not accessed by Microsoft or anyone who does not have device access", which should reduce the risk of hackers accessing the files on a cloud-based system.
However, the files won't be censored in any way when they're stored, meaning personal information like visible passwords or visible medical information will be kept in the screenshots.
Dan Raywood is a seasoned B2B journalist with over 20 years of experience, specializing in cybersecurity for the past 15 years. He has extensively covered topics from Advanced Persistent Threats and nation-state hackers to major data breaches and regulatory changes. Outside work, Dan enjoys supporting Tottenham Hotspur, managing mischievous cats, and sampling craft beers.
Dan Raywood is a seasoned B2B journalist with over 20 years of experience, specializing in cybersecurity for the past 15 years. He has extensively covered topics from Advanced Persistent Threats and nation-state hackers to major data breaches and regulatory changes. Outside work, Dan enjoys supporting Tottenham Hotspur, managing mischievous cats, and sampling craft beers.
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