Microsoft's Recall feature, which automatically captures screenshots on Copilot Plus PCs, faces resistance from app developers including Signal, AdGuard, and Brave. AdGuard labels Recall a privacy concern due to the potential for capturing sensitive information without user consent. Signal initially blocked Recall, noting Microsoft's lack of privacy controls for app developers. Following this, Brave also decided to block Recall by default for users while allowing them the choice to enable it. Both apps emphasize the need for better privacy settings for developers regarding Recall's functionality.
AdGuard calls Recall a "privacy concern" in a blog post outlining why it's blocking Microsoft's AI tool. "The very idea of background screen captures is unsettling," says AdGuard. "At any given moment, the system could snap a screenshot of a private chat window, an online form where you're entering your credit card, or simply something personal you didn't want saved."
Brave admits it was "partly inspired by Signal's blocking of Recall," for its decision to also block Recall from accessing its browser. "We will disable it by default for Windows 11+ users, with a toggle to turn it back on for users who really want Recall," says Brave.
Signal first started blocking Windows 11's Recall screenshots in May, while also highlighting that Microsoft "has launched Recall without granular settings for app developers that would enable Signal to easily protect privacy, which is a glaring omission that limits our choices."
Brave is able to offer access to screenshot and accessibility tools and still disable Recall, because Microsoft lets browser apps granularly disable Recall. "While it's heartening that Microsoft recognizes that Web browsers are especially privacy-sensitive applications, we hope they offer the same granular ability to turn off Recall to all privacy-minded application developers," says Brave.
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