After facing criticism over privacy concerns, Microsoft has made significant improvements to its Windows Recall feature by introducing it as an opt-in feature. Users now have the choice to control the information they share while using Recall.
Microsoft Introduces Recall as an Opt-In Feature with Enhanced Privacy
Microsoft recently provided an update on the highly-anticipated Windows Recall feature, addressing both its functionality and privacy measures.
In a recent blog post, David Weston, Vice President of Enterprise and OS Security at Microsoft, discussed the architecture of Recall, highlighting the privacy safeguards that have been put in place.
Microsoft clarified that Recall will now be an opt-in feature, meaning users can choose whether or not to enable the tool to take snapshots. Those concerned about privacy can easily disable Recall through the optional feature settings.
Furthermore, Microsoft has implemented TPM-protected encryption for Recall users, requiring a Windows Hello sign-in for access to encryption keys within the Virtualization-based Security Enclave (VBS Enclave). Additional security measures such as rate-limiting and anti-hammering have also been incorporated to prevent potential malware attacks.
It is important to note that Recall does not share data or snapshots with Microsoft or any third parties, ensuring user privacy. Users can also manage their snapshots by choosing when to stop taking them, deleting stored snapshots, and customizing the disk space allocated for snapshot storage. Notifications will be generated when snapshots are taken to keep users informed.
Earlier this year, Recall drew attention from the security community due to concerns about potential privacy breaches. However, Microsoft’s recent updates demonstrate a commitment to enhancing user experience by making Recall an opt-in feature with improved privacy measures.
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