- Recall captures and indexes everything displayed on the screen, facilitating subsequent searches.
- Microsoft relaunched it after criticism over privacy issues, implementing encryption and opt-out options.
- The feature remains exclusive to Copilot+ PCs and has usage limitations in Europe.
- Experts remain concerned about privacy risks despite improvements.
The arrival of Microsoft Recall a Windows 11 has marked a before and after in the debate on privacy and the new functions supported by Artificial Intelligence. After a year marked by delays and controversiesThis “digital memory” system has become a reality in the new Copilot+ PCs, generating mixed opinions among both users and security experts.
This tool has been promoted as a way to easily recall and search for past information through automatic captures of everything that happens on the computer screen. However, its initial deployment brought with it a wave of concerns about data protection and access to private information, issues that have forced Microsoft to redouble its security efforts.
What does Recall actually do and how does it work?
Recall is designed to capture screenshots at regular intervals During normal computer use, storing and indexing all viewed content: from documents to chats, web pages, images, and videos. Using artificial intelligence, converts text in images into accessible data and allows you to retrieve any piece of information using natural language descriptions, without having to remember file names or exact locations.
This system is especially useful when you need recall the context of a meeting, locate data consulted days ago or track a specific image among hundreds of documents. The technical basis behind Recall rests on the model Phi Silica, the processor IA Designed by Microsoft to understand both text and images, thus opening up accessibility and contextual help possibilities never seen before in Windows.
Recall works exclusively on PC Copilot+, which incorporate AI chips (NPU) capable of managing large volumes of data efficiently and without relying on the cloud, which reduces energy consumption and improves privacy by keeping information locally.
The privacy controversy: What has changed after the criticism?
In its initial version, Recall was harshly criticized by experts in ciberseguridad, who detected that the Captures were stored unencrypted and easily accessible even by malicious programs. Furthermore, the feature came enabled by default and could not be uninstalled, raising concerns about the potential for logging sensitive information such as passwords, bank details or private messages, even after deleting them from the original applications.
In the face of the uproar, Microsoft delayed the launch and completely reworked the feature. Recall is now optional and can be disabled or uninstalled. at any time. To activate it, the user must explicitly consent and validate their identity using Windows Hello (facial biometrics or fingerprint). In addition, The database is encrypted and the keys are stored on the chip TPM, within a protected environment that isolates information even in the event of infection by malware.
The company has also implemented automatic filters that attempt to avoid the storage of sensitive informationMicrosoft ensures that the data collected by Recall is never sent to its servers or shared with third parties, and always remains on the device itself.
Persistent criticism and real security challenges
Despite these improvements, some analysts, such as former Microsoft researcher Kevin Beaumont, remain critical. Among the issues detected after the relaunch are:
- Filtering sensitive data is not entirely reliable: There have been documented cases where Recall indexes card numbers or messages that should have been excluded.
- Biometric protection is only mandatory during initial activation, but later anyone who knows the PIN could access the complete capture history.
- Recall may slow down your computer and consume large amounts of resources, especially during intensive tasks or games.
- The application saves data that has already been deleted in original programs, such as private conversations or Temporary files.
- Not yet available in Europe due to regulatory restrictions, and its deployment is progressive, starting with devices with Snapdragon chips.
Beaumont himself recommends users who are particularly sensitive to privacy —such as journalists, groups at risk, or politically exposed persons— disable Recall or not use it until it offers greater guarantees. It also warns companies to thoroughly study the implications of collecting this type of visual history in certain professional environments.
Other new features in Windows 11: Click to Do and search improvements
Along with Recall, two new features have arrived that aim to take advantage of local AI. Click to Do It allows you to invoke contextual actions with a single keystroke and a left mouse click, such as copying, summarizing, or modifying text and images displayed in any application. On the other hand, Windows' built-in search has been revamped and now understands natural language descriptions, making it easier to find information without having to remember the exact file name.
These functions, such as Recall, remain exclusive to Copilot+ devices and are not currently available in all regions or on PCs without hardware dedicated to AI.
The update incorporating these new features is being rolled out starting in April 2025, initially as an option for users who want to try it out and subsequently through general updates.
The launch of Recall and the other innovations integrated into Windows 11 reflect the major leap Microsoft is taking in the integration of local artificial intelligence, seeking to make interaction with the operating system more natural and offering new ways to manage personal information. Microsoft continues to work to improve security and ensure privacy, although the debate remains open around the challenges posed by data collection and storage.
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