\n<\/p>\n
Microsoft is planning to launch its new Copilot Plus PCs next week without its controversial Recall feature that screenshots everything you do on these new laptops. The software maker is holding back Recall so it can test it with the Windows Insider program, after originally promising to ship Recall as an opt-in feature with additional security improvements.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cWe are adjusting the release model for Recall to leverage the expertise of the Windows Insider community to ensure the experience meets our high standards for quality and security,\u201d says Microsoft in an updated blog post<\/a>. \u201cWhen Recall (preview) becomes available in the Windows Insider Program, we will publish a blog post with details on how to get the preview.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n This means that Recall won\u2019t even be available initially to Windows Insiders or anyone who buys a Copilot Plus PC. I wrote in Notepad earlier today<\/a> that Windows engineers were scrambling to get the security improvements tested and implemented in time for the June 18th launch date of Copilot Plus PCs. Now, Microsoft is essentially admitting here that it needs more time to test Recall\u2019s security improvements.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Microsoft first\u00a0unveiled the Recall feature<\/a>\u00a0as part of its upcoming Copilot Plus PCs last month, but since then, privacy advocates and\u00a0security experts have been warning<\/a>\u00a0that Recall could be a \u201cdisaster\u201d for cybersecurity without changes. Microsoft committed to three major updates to Recall last week, including making the AI-powered feature an opt-in experience instead of on by default, encrypting the database, and authenticating through Windows Hello.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Recall uses local AI models built into Windows 11 to screenshot mostly everything you see or do on your computer and then give you the ability to search and retrieve items you\u2019ve seen. An explorable timeline lets you scroll through these snapshots to look back on what you did on a particular day on your PC. Everything in Recall is designed to remain local and private on-device, so no data is used to train Microsoft\u2019s AI models.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Microsoft\u2019s decision to delay Recall comes just after vice chair and president Brad Smith testified<\/a> before the House Homeland Security Committee today. Smith said<\/a> that Microsoft is putting security above everything, as part of its Secure Future Initiative (SFI). \u201cIt is more important even than the company\u2019s work on artificial intelligence,\u201d says Smith. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Smith also revealed that Microsoft will make security a mandatory part of its bi-annual reviews process for all employees. \u201cWith this change, cybersecurity will be considered in every employee\u2019s annual bonus and compensation,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n