Microsoft unveils new AI feature 'Recall' that records user activity on PCs

Microsoft has announced a new Windows AI feature called "Recall" that aims to help users "recall" their past activities by recording everything they do on their computer in real-time.

According to Microsoft, Recall takes images of the active screen every few seconds, encrypts these snapshots, and saves them on the user's hard drive. Users can search for and view this content using a timeline bar.

Recall's capabilities extend beyond just snapshots. It includes on-demand transcription and translation of video meetings, providing context for users' activities at specific times. While Microsoft assures that these features are stored and encrypted locally and are private to the user, there are concerns about potential misuse by bad actors who gain access to a user's PC.

Microsoft emphasizes that Recall screenshots are only linked to specific user profiles, are not shared with other users, and are not used for targeting advertisements. This isn't Microsoft's first attempt at such functionality. Windows 10 included a feature called "Timeline," which allowed users to scroll through historic documents and browser tabs but did not take spontaneous snapshots. Timeline was discontinued in 2021.

Currently, Recall is still in beta testing and won't be available to users immediately, but its introduction raises significant privacy concerns amidst ongoing discussions about data security and artificial intelligence.