Signal Blocks Microsoft Recall Feature to Protect User Privacy

In a decisive move to safeguard user privacy, Signal has updated its Windows 11 application to block Microsoft’s Recall feature. This move will stop anyone from capturing screenshots of private conversations.

Signal’s “Screen Security” setting is also turned on by default, utilizing digital rights management (DRM) techniques to prevent unauthorized screen captures.

Background

As part of its Copilot+ PC initiative, Microsoft’s Recall periodically captures screenshots of user activity to generate a searchable timeline. Despite being intended to improve user productivity, Recall has encountered substantial opposition due to privacy concerns.

Critics contend that the feature’s extensive data collection capabilities present risks, particularly because it initially did not provide developers with the ability to exclude sensitive content from being recorded.

Signal Privacy Measures

Signal’s utilization of DRM to obscure its conversation window during screen capture attempts is comparable to the safeguards implemented by streaming services such as Netflix. Signal emphasizes that the absence of developer controls in Recall has left them with limited alternatives, despite the potential impact of this approach on accessibility tools like screen readers.

Signal users have the option to disengage the screen security feature through the app’s settings. However, the app warns that this may compromise privacy.