Cover Image for The controversial Recall feature from Microsoft does not always remove sensitive information, according to tests conducted.
Sat Dec 14 2024

The controversial Recall feature from Microsoft does not always remove sensitive information, according to tests conducted.

An integrated filter is supposed to protect credit card and social security numbers, but it doesn't always work properly.

One of the most unpopular features of the new versions of Windows is gaining notoriety for negative reasons. Microsoft Recall, an AI-driven tool that continuously captures images of activity on your PC to create a database of everything you have done, raises serious security concerns. According to tests conducted by a tech outlet, this tool has been observed to not always filter out sensitive information, such as credit card numbers and social security numbers.

During these tests, it was found that both fictional and real texts could be captured by Recall, which means this information could theoretically be accessible to others. The security risks are numerous and evident. Although there is a filter that supposedly eliminates sensitive information from screenshots and is turned on by default, this filter only works occasionally. For instance, on e-commerce sites, credit card numbers are generally filtered out, but on other platforms, such as PDF forms, the filter does not always manage to detect them.

Light Speed Recall has been one of the most discussed and controversial aspects of Microsoft's recent foray into artificial intelligence. Security experts have labeled it a "disaster," and after experiencing a delay earlier in the year, it was finally launched for testing in October. If you make a lot of online purchases, it may be advisable to deactivate Recall for the time being.