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Should You Worry About Windows Watching Your Every Move?
Windows users face a tough choice. Microsoft’s new feature called Recall wants to watch everything you do on your computer. It takes pictures of your screen every few seconds. These pictures get saved on your computer. Anyone who gets into your computer can see them.
This means everything you browse, type, or look at gets recorded. Your passwords. Your private messages. Your money stuff. All of it.
Brave Browser said “no way” to this. They built a wall between you and Microsoft’s watching eyes.
What Makes Recall So Concerning?
Windows Recall works like a digital spy that never sleeps. Here’s what it does:
- Takes screenshots every few seconds of whatever you’re doing
- Saves all these pictures in a database on your computer
- Lets other programs or bad actors easily access this data
- Records private browsing sessions unless apps specifically block it
Even though Microsoft made some changes after people complained, the basic problem stays the same. Your private stuff gets recorded and stored where hackers can find it.
How Brave Stops the Spying
Brave found a clever way to beat Microsoft at their own game. They use Microsoft’s own rules against them.
Microsoft said Recall won’t take pictures of “private” browser windows. So Brave tells Windows that every single tab is private – even regular ones. This tricks Windows into thinking all your browsing is private browsing.
The smart part? You can still take normal screenshots with other programs. Brave only blocks Recall, not everything else.
Here’s how it works behind the scenes:
- Brave uses Microsoft’s SetInputScope API
- Sets all browser windows to “IS_PRIVATE” mode
- Windows thinks every tab is a private browsing session
- Recall skips over all Brave windows automatically
Turn It On or Off – Your Choice
Brave makes this protection automatic. Starting with version 1.81, all Windows users get this shield turned on by default.
But if you really want Recall to work with Brave, you can turn it back on:
- Open Brave Settings
- Go to “Privacy and Security“
- Find “Block Microsoft Recall“
- Turn off the toggle
Most people will never need to do this. Brave believes your browsing history should stay yours.
Why This Matters More Than You Think
Brave isn’t the only company worried about Recall. Signal messenger also blocks it. AdGuard joined the fight too. These companies see the same danger you should see.
Your browsing history tells a story about your life. Where you shop. What you read. Who you talk to. Health problems you research. Money troubles you have.
Bad people can use this information to hurt you. They can steal your identity. Blackmail you. Stalk you. Break into your accounts.
A Simple Choice for Your Safety
Microsoft wants you to trust them with everything you do on your computer. Brave says you shouldn’t have to make that choice.
This protection works right now in Brave’s test versions. It will reach everyone using Brave in the coming weeks.
Other big browsers like Chrome and Edge still let Recall watch you. Firefox and DuckDuckGo do too. Only Brave gives you this protection automatically.
The message is clear: your privacy matters more than Microsoft’s AI dreams.