Microsoft’s AI Memory Tool Faces Another Delay Amid Privacy Concerns

Microsoft is also delaying the release of its controversial AI feature, Remembering Windows, due to concerns about user privacy and data security. The company, which had planned to begin testing the tool in October after initial delays, now says that Recall will be ready for Windows Insiders on Copilot-enabled PCs by December, pending further internal updates.

In May, Microsoft introduced the Windows 11 Recall tool, describing it as a personal “time machine” that allows you to quickly retrieve anything that was previously displayed on your screen, from documents and photos to websites. Microsoft says the tool captures screenshots of the user’s screen, stores them securely on the device, and uses AI to organize and make this data searchable.

But the tool soon faced scrutiny from privacy advocates, forcing Microsoft to delay the release for further review. The recall comes at a time when Microsoft and other tech companies continue to grow and offer new AI-powered features as part of a larger effort to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Yet many companies, including Microsoft, are still trying to navigate the many security and privacy challenges posed by manufacturing AI.

The latest comments follow updates announced in September to Recall’s security and privacy features in a Windows Blog post.

Brandon LeBlanc, senior product manager for Windows, said that to ensure that Microsoft delivers security and privacy, it takes “more time to improve the experience before previewing it with Windows Insider.”

He added that the company is “committed to delivering safe and reliable information through Recall.”

This news was first reported by The Verge.

In September, the company said that the Recall feature would only come in and not be removed from Copilot PCs. It also noted that sensitive data on Remember Me is always encrypted and keys are protected.