- After weeks of delays, Microsoft has shared that Recall for Copilot Plus PCs will open public testing in October.
- The controversial screenshot-mining system faced harsh security and privacy concerns when first announced.
AI and controversy go hand in hand, and one of the more contentious developments occurred earlier this year, when Microsoft revealed its plan to introduce Recall for Copilot Plus PCs. The system would continually take screenshots while you use your PC, process that imagery with AI, and then allow you search through them to reference later. After months of waiting, we’re finally learning when Microsoft intends to open up Recall to its first public testers.
Recall immediately drew concern from privacy advocates, fearing that the mere existence of this massive record of everything you did on your PC represented an unnecessary privacy liability — just think how exposed you’d be if anyone ever got access to that. And indeed, early analysis by an independent researcher only raised anxiety about how Microsoft planned to implement Recall.