Microsoft's Recall feature now blocked by Brave and AdGuard over privacy concerns

Microsoft’s Recall feature, which automatically captures screenshots of user activity on Copilot Plus PCs, has sparked resistance from app developers. Signal was among the first to block the feature earlier this year, and now AdGuard and the Brave browser have joined the effort. The move highlights growing concerns over privacy and the lack of control for developers over how the AI tool interacts with their applications. AdGuard described Recall as a “privacy concern” in a blog post explaining its decision. “The very idea of background screen captures is unsettling,” the company said. “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 also announced it would block Recall, citing inspiration from Signal’s earlier action. “We will disable it by default for Windows 11+ users, with a toggle to turn it back on for users who really want Recall,” the company stated. Brave noted that while it allows access to screenshot and accessibility tools for other applications, it can still block Recall due to Microsoft’s existing support for granular control in browsers. Signal first began blocking Recall screenshots in May, pointing out that Microsoft launched the feature without providing app developers with the necessary tools to protect user privacy. “This is a glaring omission that limits our choices,” Signal said at the time. The messaging app uses a DRM flag to block all screenshots and accessibility tools from accessing its interface, a method that has proven effective against Recall. Brave welcomed Microsoft’s recognition of the unique privacy needs of web browsers but expressed hope that the company would extend similar controls to other application developers. The growing resistance to Recall underscores the broader debate around user privacy in AI-driven features and the need for more flexible and secure options for both users and developers.