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Worried that Microsoft Recall might take screenshots of your Signal chats? Don't be.
Signal has introduced a new "Screen security" setting for its Windows 11 app that will give users a black screen every time they or the system attempts to take a screenshot. You might be familiar with the outcome if you have attempted to screenshot shows or movies on Netflix.
The feature arrives a month after Microsoft officially rolled out its controversial Recall feature, which takes screenshots at regular intervals to create a history of everything you have seen or done on your PC. Announced in May 2024, the launch was delayed due to privacy concerns.
Signal said that "although Microsoft made several adjustments over the past twelve months in response to critical feedback, the revamped version of Recall still places any content that’s displayed within privacy-preserving apps like Signal at risk."
Microsoft also has yet to provide an API for the feature that would allow app developers to opt out of it, Signal says.
"We hope that the AI teams building systems like Recall will think through these implications more carefully in the future,” Signal says. “Apps like Signal shouldn’t have to implement 'one weird trick' in order to maintain the privacy and integrity of their services without proper developer tools."
Screen security for Signal is now rolling out to Windows 11 PCs. Users who aren’t worried about Recall or are willing to let it store screenshots of their Signal activity can disable the new feature by going to Signal Settings > Privacy > Screen security.