Microsoft Recall raises privacy alarm again.

[dobleremolque]

Source: Digwatch
Date: 1 May 2025

Fresh concerns are mounting over privacy risks after Microsoft confirmed the return of its controversial Recall feature for Copilot+ PCs. Recall takes continuous screenshots of everything on a Windows user’s screen and stores it in a searchable database powered by AI.

Although screenshots are saved locally and protected by a PIN, experts warn the system undermines the security of encrypted apps like WhatsApp and Signal by storing anything shown on screen, even if it was meant to disappear.

Critics argue that even users who have not enabled Recall could have their private messages captured if someone they are chatting with has the feature switched on.

Cybersecurity experts have already demonstrated that guessing the PIN gives full access to all screen content—deleted or not—including sensitive conversations, images, and passwords.

Link to complete article.

Bottom Line: Rapid screen captures mean that even Signal, WhatsApp, and any encryption method you might use, including disappearing messages, can be reconstructed and disclosed if Recall is involved.

[DavidDvorkin]

1. How much disk storage does that require?

Even without the security concerns, I wouldn't want that activated.

[dobleremolque]

2. Sorry, not a Windows guy. Been on Ubuntu/Linux for at least the past 20 years. I posted

the story mainly to alert folks to the fact that with rapid-fire screen captures, Signal (looking at you, Houthi Chat Group), and WhatsApp can be compromised and cracked even without a lot of cyber-sophistication. I do not doubt that somewhere, somehow, someone has reproduced a generic version of the Windows Recall idea of rapid-fire screen caps to compromise even the strongest encryption and security.

It's a cautionary tale for any of my lefty Resistance buds who think they can plan or coordinate Resistance activities on encrypted apps. It also applies to those at the other end of the spectrum, i.e. Proud Boys, 3%ers, right wing militia, etc. who think they can do they same thing without being compromised.

Nothing is secret any more.