Microsoft delays launch of Recall feature due to privacy concerns

Key information

• The launch of the reminder feature has been postponed from October to December.
• Microsoft delayed the launch to address concerns about user privacy.
• The reminder will not be mandatory, users can choose to activate or deactivate it.

The reminder feature, designed to help users by recording their PC activity, will launch in December instead of October. Originally announced in May, this feature uses Windows’ screenshot capabilities to help users easily recall past actions or viewed content. However, concerns about privacy raised by cybersecurity experts led Microsoft to postpone the launch and conduct testing with Windows Insider program participants.

Microsoft explained that this postponement was due to its commitment to providing a safe and reliable user experience. The company said additional time was needed to refine the feature before launching it to Windows Insiders. This announcement follows recent controversy surrounding Recall, particularly regarding claims by YouTubers that the feature was secretly installed and enabled on Windows computers updated to version 24H2.

Reassurance from Microsoft

Brandon LeBlanc, Chief Product Officer for Windows, told The Verge that Recall will not be mandatory and users will be able to choose to enable or disable it.

It is not yet clear whether Belgium and other European countries will have direct access to Recall when it is rolled out more widely. Due to Microsoft’s focus on privacy and regional regulations, it seems likely that European privacy laws will be followed before the feature launches globally.