Microsoft announced on Thursday that it will preview "Recall," an AI-powered feature that tracks computer usage, with a smaller group of users later rather than releasing it with its new computers next week due to privacy issues, according to a report.
The Recall feature records everything from voice conversations to web browsing, building a history that is saved on the computer and searchable by the user—even months later—when they need to recall something they did.
Instead of being widely available for Copilot+ PC users on June 18, Microsoft announced in a blog post that Recall will now only be available for a preview on its Windows Insider Programme (WIP) in the upcoming weeks.
The Redmond, Washington-based company stated that the decision is "founded in our commitment to providing a trusted, secure, and robust experience for all customers and to seek additional feedback prior to making the feature available to all Copilot+ PC users."
A line of personal computers called Copilot+ PCs with artificial intelligence (AI) features was introduced in May.
Through the WIP, millions of "Windows biggest fans" can test out new features for the operating system before they are released to the general public. The company announced that, in response to feedback from the WIP community, it intends to release the Recall preview for all Copilot+ PCs, coming soon.
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Soon after this feature was announced, privacy concerns were voiced by some social media users who feared it would allow for spying. Billionaire technologist Elon Musk likened it to a "Black Mirror episode" and compared it to the Netflix series that examines the negative effects of advanced technology.