Microsoft’s controversial AI screenshotting tool, Recall, is back again after being recalled numerous times. Nearly a year post-announcement, Microsoft finally rolls out Recall on Windows 11, but it’s still not broadly available. Recall utilizes AI to capture screenshots every few seconds, intended to help users remember actions performed on their PCs.

Currently, the feature is undergoing a ‘gradual rollout’ within the Windows Insider program, leaving much of the public still shut out from access.

Privacy and Security Concerns

Historically, Recall has faced backlash regarding privacy. For instance, previous versions were found storing sensitive information in plain text, which exposed users to potential data breaches. Microsoft has since addressed many of these issues by implementing changes that keep the sensitive data safer.

To access Recall data securely, users are now required to authenticate through Windows Hello, improving its safety profile significantly since its original launch. Users can also pause or deactivate Recall easily, giving them more control over their data capture experiences.

While the history of Recall raises eyebrows, Microsoft assures that the data remains secure, functioning locally without being sent to the cloud.

Given Recall’s troubled past, many are still hesitant to activate it on their devices. As privacy on technology frequently comes into question, this feature might still be perceived as a risk for some users.