- The signal has a new option for its Windows 11 application to block the recall
- The developer had to merge a way to prevent screenshots from the messaging application
- Unfortunately, this has side effects such as interfere with screen reading tools, but signal says that Microsoft has left no choice
Signal, a messaging application that goes on in terms of security and confidentiality (and has recently been under the spotlight), introduced a measure to defend the content sent via the prying eyes platform for Microsoft’s recall function.
In case you have forgotten – unlikely, I know – the recall is the controversial function of Copilot + PCS which provides a deep search fueled by AI in Windows 11. It does by regularly taking screen entries on your PC, and you can see where the conflict happens if the screen messages of the functionalities are sent via a confidentiality application like the signal.
As of this, Signal announced in a blog article (picked up by The Verge) that it introduces a new “screen safety” parameter for its Windows 11 application, and this will be activated by default for desktop users. This feature takes place now.
What the developer has done here is to activate a DRM flag on the signal application window as a Fudge to stop the reminder of the screenshot. He uses this bypass solution because Microsoft has failed to offer “granular parameters for application developers that would allow signal to easily protect confidentiality” with the recall, observes the blog post.
Signal Note: “We activate an additional default protection layer on Windows 11 to help maintain Desktop signal safety on this platform even if it introduces certain usability compromises. Microsoft simply gave no other option. “
What is the compromise of usability? Blocking screenshots from all angles using this FIDGE DRM means that the legitimate use of screen entry is excluded, and certain screen reading tools (such as the narrator in Windows 11) or other accessibility features may not function properly. So, it is far from ideal, but signal argues that Microsoft did not give it the choice.
Analysis: Clear signal
This seems to be an important part of the equation that is lacking with the recall. Famous, Microsoft drew functionality after its first revelation a year ago, and brought it back to the drawing board, tightening safety and confidentiality in many ways. But it was a case of fixing and smoothing on weaknesses, rather than strengthening the measures – the recall was launched path Too early, and without thinking enough, worrying.
And after all this time, there are software developers such as the signal manufacturer highlighting a basic reminder that Microsoft should have been addressed to this stage.
Remember that this does not apply to you if you do not have a co -pilot + PC, however, because only these devices remember (this requires a Costaud NPU to locally accelerate the workloads of AI to ensure that the functionality works well enough).
Although the new parameter is activated by default for the signal in Windows 11, you can deactivate it by going to Signal parameters> Confidentiality> Screen Safety (You will be informed that you are about to deactivate the capacity).
It will certainly be worth looking at this space in the future, and I hope that Microsoft will implement an appropriate way of allowing developers to control how the recall interacts with their applications, because it only makes sense for software related to confidentiality.
