Elon Musk calls Windows Recall AI feature "a Black Mirror episode" due to privacy concerns

The new Copilot Plus PCs bring Snapdragon X series processors, which boast the "world's fastest NPU" that can deliver up to 45 TOPS of AI performance. This brings a wide range of advanced AI perks to Windows 11, such as the one called Recall. As Microsoft describes, it is a photographic memory feature that lets you search for anything you did or saw on your computer.

At the core, the AI feature takes snapshots every five seconds while you're using the laptop and stores them locally. After analyzing them, Recall lets you search across time to find the content you need with a simple text-based search. Given that this Microsoft Windows feature processes everything you're doing, some security concerns have been raised.

Elon Musk's initial reaction after learning about Recall sums it up perfectly. The CEO of Tesla Motors compared it to "a Black Mirror episode." To fill you, this TV series explored how unchecked technology can lead to the violation of personal privacy. Some of the notable episodes around this are "Nosedive," "The Entire History of You," and "Joan is Awful."

Of course, Microsoft does promise 100% privacy with Windows Recall. The company says that the AI feature does on-device processing and relies on the computer's NPU. There are options to prevent it from taking screenshots while using specific apps or visiting certain websites. It also lets you choose how long you want the snapshots to be stored locally on your computer. You can even turn it off if you want to.

But these promises are being taken with a pinch of salt, and the tweet from Elon Musk is the perfect example of it. However, it is not just Elon who has spoken about privacy concerns surrounding Recall. For example, a Windows user who has been using the operating system for 20 years said on Reddit that it might be time to switch to Linux.

Nonetheless, Recall is definitely a useful Windows AI feature, and if Microsoft stands true to its privacy-focused promises, it can enhance the experience with the operating system.

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