Brave browser is set to implement a significant privacy measure, blocking Microsoft's controversial Recall feature from accessing all browser tabs by default with its upcoming v1.81 update for Windows users. This proactive step aims to safeguard user browsing activity from being captured by the AI-powered snapshot tool, reinforcing Brave's commitment to user privacy. The move was announced on social media, with Windows Central stating, > "A future update from Brave will block Recall from accessing all browser tabs unless you tell it not to."
The mechanism behind Brave's block involves marking all its browser windows as "private," effectively extending Microsoft's existing exclusion for private browsing windows to all Brave activity. This ensures that Recall, a feature designed to continuously capture screenshots of user actions on Copilot+ PCs, will not be able to store snapshots of any content viewed within Brave. Users will retain the option to manually re-enable Recall support for Brave through the browser's privacy settings if they choose.
Microsoft's Recall feature, initially unveiled in 2024, has faced considerable scrutiny from privacy and security advocates due to concerns over the extensive collection and local storage of user data. Despite Microsoft's subsequent adjustments, including making Recall an opt-in feature, the potential for sensitive browsing history to be stored in a persistent database remains a key concern for privacy-focused entities. Brave's decision underscores the ongoing debate surrounding data privacy in AI-driven operating system functionalities.
Brave's rationale for this default block aligns with its core mission of maximizing user privacy and preventing potential misuse of sensitive information, such as browsing history. The company highlighted the risk of such data being ripe for abuse in highly sensitive cases. This action follows a similar move by the secure messaging application Signal, which also implemented a block against Recall, though Brave's technical approach differs by specifically marking tabs as private rather than broadly disabling all screenshots.