Microsoft's "Recall" is an upcoming Windows 11 feature that will create a searchable timeline of your activities, allowing you to easily retrieve and review ("recall") past work. It accomplishes this by capturing and storing screenshots of nearly everything you see or do on your PC. What could possibly go wrong?
Apparently, Microsoft has been asking itself the same question. Initially slated for release in June with Copilot Plus PCs, Recall has been delayed (due to security concerns) and will now be available for Windows Insiders in October. Despite Microsoft's assurances of security, researchers have found vulnerabilities, including an unencrypted database that malware could exploit. In response, Microsoft is making Recall an opt-in feature, encrypting the database, and adding authentication via Windows Hello.
I love this feature, in theory. Who wouldn't want a personal, private history of everything they do on their PC with an AI-assisted search function? "Hey Recall, who did we offer that special deal to last month?" There is nothing more valuable than institutional memory, and this would be a great start. However…
Any security expert will tell you that organized, centralized information is the most vulnerable. When everything about your medical history was written on various pieces of paper and stored in a half dozen different doctor's offices, there was no practical or easy way for a bad actor to aggregate and abscond with your medical history. When you assemble and aggregate information and put it in one database, one security flaw makes all of your information vulnerable.
This is a long way of saying: do we really want all our interactions recallable? Back in the day, I would make a joke during my digital transformation keynotes: "Want the quickest way to end a relationship? Ask to see your significant other's browser history, and let them see yours." Just some random thoughts about the potential fun we're going to have when Recall goes live.
As always your thoughts and comments are both welcome and encouraged. Just reply to this email. -s
P.S. The idea of AI-assisted search is powerful. If you're interested in understanding just how powerful, consider taking our free online course, . It will help jumpstart your AI journey.
ABOUT SHELLY PALMER
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing. Named he covers tech and business for , is a regular commentator on CNN and writes a popular . He's a , and the creator of the popular, free online course, . Follow or visit .
