Microsoft's Fresh AI Companion is Eager for Your Trust
Perhaps your concerns should be directed towards a different entity, not necessarily Microsoft.
Privacy Concerns with Microsoft's Copilot+ PCs
When we dream of the perfect digital assistant, one thing we tend to forget is that it needs to know everything about us - something that may not sit well with everyone.
Microsoft's new Copilot+ PCs come with a feature called Recall. It takes a screenshot of your computer every few seconds and uses AI to extract information from them. This enables the Copilot assistant to provide answers when asked about anything seen or created. While it sounds useful, there are concerns about the privacy and security implications of such a feature.
"Recall is a feature that I've always wanted, but I would hesitate to enable it. Beyond Microsoft's recent security issues, keeping track of everything on your computer poses new risks, especially when it includes sensitive data like bank accounts, passwords, work documents, and even confidential information received from third parties," notes tech commentator Nick Heer.
The Recall feature sounds promising - you could easily find that pair of shoes you saw or the advice you read online. However, it also collects data you may not want stored, like passwords and financial details.
While Microsoft assures that Recall does not perform content moderation and runs locally on the device, concerns about data security and privacy persist. Experts warn that enabling such features requires a strong commitment to privacy and clear boundaries against sharing data with external services.
Even if trusted companies like Microsoft or Apple offer similar features, the stored data becomes a prime target for malware attackers who could misuse personal information to execute phishing attacks.
Potential Risks of AI Assistants
The rapid advancement of AI technology brings about exciting possibilities. However, before fully embracing these innovations, it's crucial to consider the potential risks involved. While there are benefits, the current risks associated with AI assistants, like the Copilot+, far outweigh any advantages.
