UK watchdog looking into Microsoft AI taking screenshots

The UK's data watchdog, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), has announced that it is making inquiries with Microsoft regarding a new feature called Recall. This feature, which is set to be available exclusively on Microsoft's forthcoming Copilot+ PCs, has raised concerns about user privacy. Recall has the capability to take screenshots of a user's laptop every few seconds, leading to worries about potential privacy violations. Microsoft has stated that Recall is an optional experience and that users have the ability to limit which snapshots are collected. The company has also emphasized that Recall data is stored locally and is not accessed by Microsoft or anyone without device access. However, the ICO has emphasized the need for companies to rigorously assess and mitigate risks to people's rights and freedoms before introducing new products to the market. They are seeking further information from Microsoft to understand the safeguards in place to protect user privacy.