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Microsoft’s AI Features Raise Privacy Concerns
Microsoft, a key player in the generative artificial intelligence field, recently unveiled its Copilot+ PCs with advanced AI capabilities. Among these features is the Recall tool, designed to take periodic screenshots of users’ activity. These screenshots are then encrypted, stored, and analyzed by AI to provide users with a “photographic memory” of their PC usage.
However, following privacy and security concerns, Microsoft announced that the Recall feature will now be off by default. Users must opt-in by enrolling in Windows Hello and provide proof of presence to access their Recall screenshots. Additionally, Microsoft is implementing new security measures such as “just in time” decryption to enhance data protection.
Kevin Beaumont, a cybersecurity expert and former Microsoft employee, highlighted potential security flaws in Recall. He discovered that the tool stored information in a plain-text database, leaving it vulnerable to malware attacks. Beaumont criticized Microsoft for potentially compromising user safety.
In response to the feedback, Pavan Davuluri, corporate vice president of Windows and Devices at Microsoft, emphasized the company’s commitment to prioritizing customer privacy, security, and trust. Davuluri described Microsoft’s AI development as a continuous journey towards creating products that empower individuals and organizations.
FTC Investigates Microsoft’s AI Practices
Besides privacy concerns, Microsoft is also under scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for possible anticompetitive behavior in the AI industry. The FTC is investigating Microsoft’s acquisition of the AI startup Inflection, which raised eyebrows earlier this year.
In a deal worth $650 million, Microsoft acquired Inflection and absorbed most of its employees, including CEO Mustafa Suleyman, who now leads Microsoft’s AI division. This acquisition has drawn attention to Microsoft’s growing influence in the AI sector and raised questions about fair competition practices.
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