From PC World: Signal has become a go-to chat and communications platform for users who want the peace of mind of secure, end-to-end encryption. It’s recently gotten a lot of free publicity thanks to some questionable applications of its tech, but the company has never wavered in its dedication to privacy. Following that mantra, Signal is blocking functionality for the new Windows Recall.
Windows Recall is one of the most visible and divisive features of Windows on enhanced “Copilot+” PCs, taking screenshots every few seconds and allowing the user to search through a history of their own activity. It’s certainly interesting tech, but it’s also a privacy nightmare, which is part of the reason Microsoft delayed its rollout for the better part of a year. Initially intrigued, PCWorld’s Mark Hachman now recommends that you turn Recall off as Microsoft rolls out the full version to millions of users.
The developers of Signal appear to agree with Mark. The latest version of the Windows app will simply appear as a blank black window if you try to record its activity with Windows Recall. It’s similar to the implementation of DRM in streaming services — you might have tried to take a screenshot of a Netflix show, only to get a blank black screen.
Signal is using built-in functionality in Windows and Recall, working as intended. Any developer can flip that DRM switch and keep Recall from recording its activity by default. “Apps like Signal have essentially no control over what content Recall is able to capture, and implementing ‘DRM’ that works for you (not against you) is the best choice that we had,” explains Signal developer Joshua Lund.
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