Microsoft delays release of Recall AI feature due to security concerns

Microsoft today announced that it has postponed the wide release of its Recall artificial intelligence feature for the Copilot+ PC. Originally scheduled for June 18, the feature will now be released first as a preview version to members of the Windows Insider program in the coming weeks.

The release of the feature will now take place first as a preview version for members of the Windows Insider program.

Reasons for the delay

The decision to delay general availability of the Recall feature stems from Microsoft’s desire to gather additional feedback and ensure that the feature meets the company’s strict security and quality standards. The move underscores the growing attention and caution in deploying AI capabilities as companies seek to balance innovation with responsible technology management.

The move underscores the growing attention and caution in deploying AI capabilities as companies seek to strike a balance between innovation and responsible technology management.

Recall feature features

The Recall feature uses AI on the device to periodically capture snapshots of a user’s screen, creating a visual timeline that can be searched to quickly locate previously viewed content in apps, websites, images and documents. Although Microsoft has marketed the feature as a productivity tool akin to «photographic memory», concerns have arisen about the privacy and security of storing and analyzing such sensitive data.

Microsoft has been promoting the feature as a means of improving productivity, similar to «photographic memory» there have been concerns about the privacy and security of storing and analyzing such sensitive data.

Security Measures

To address these concerns, Microsoft is implementing additional security measures for the Recall feature. This includes the use of «on-demand» encryption protected by Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security, which ensures that Recall snapshots can only be accessed after the user authenticates. The company is also encrypting the search index database associated with Recall.

The company is also encrypting the search index database associated with Recall.

Responsible AI deployment

By releasing the Recall feature first to the Windows Insider community, Microsoft aims to gather real-world feedback and usage data to refine the feature before rolling it out widely. This phased rollout approach is becoming increasingly common among companies developing advanced AI capabilities as they seek to balance the potential benefits with the need for responsible deployment.

Microsoft’s approach to phased deployment is becoming more common among companies developing advanced AI capabilities.

Secure Future Initiative

The delay also reflects Microsoft’s commitment to its Secure Future Initiative, which prioritizes security and privacy in the development of AI and other advanced technologies. As part of that initiative, Microsoft has introduced a number of security enhancements for Copilot+ PCs, including making them Secured-core PCs, enabling Microsoft Pluton security processors by default, and shipping them with Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security.

The delay also reflects Microsoft’s commitment to the Secure Future Initiative, which prioritizes security and privacy in the development of AI and other AI technologies.

Securing long-term success and reliability

Although delaying the widespread release of Recall may disappoint some early adopters eager to try out the feature, industry experts believe it is a necessary step to ensure the long-term success and reliability of AI-powered tools like Recall. As enterprises increasingly look to utilize AI to improve productivity and gain competitive advantage, responsible development and adoption of these technologies will be critical.

Accordingly, the development and adoption of these technologies will be critical.

Microsoft didn’t provide a specific timeline for when the Recall feature will become available to all Copilot+ PC users, saying only that it will happen «soon» after feedback is gathered from the Windows Insider program. The company plans to publish a blog with details on how to access a preview version of Recall as soon as it becomes available to Windows Insider members.

The company plans to publish a blog with details on how to access a preview version of Recall as soon as it becomes available to Windows Insider members.