Chat app Signal restricts screenshot taking to block Microsoft's Recall feature, says Microsoft gave them no other choice
In an effort to protect users' privacy from Microsoft's 'Recall' feature, which records users' PC activity by taking screenshots every few seconds, Signal, a privacy-focused encrypted messaging service, has revealed that it has blocked all screenshot taking by default.
Signal >> Blog >> By Default, Signal Doesn't Recall
“Microsoft has simply given us no other option,” Signal says as it blocks Windows Recall - Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/05/signal-resorts-to-weird-trick-to-block-windows-recall-in-desktop-app/
Microsoft's 'Recall' is a feature that takes detailed photos of your PC screen, scans it with OCR, and uses the power of AI to look back on your behavioral history later. It is said to be useful because it allows you to search for files you have edited in the past, websites you have visited, etc. in natural language, but the release has been delayed several times due to privacy concerns that it collects unnecessary information.
Microsoft announces new AI feature 'Recall' for Windows 11, a powerful AI search function that records everything you see and do on your PC and allows you to search later - GIGAZINE
Signal is a confidential messaging app that uses end-to-end encryption, so in theory, communications cannot be read by anyone other than the sender and receiver. However, if you use Signal on a PC and someone takes a screenshot, the encryption becomes useless.
To prevent this from happening, Signal updated its Windows version to use Netflix-like Digital Rights Management (DRM) to block screenshots by default, though users can later enable it in settings.
DRM is a powerful technology for protecting content, but it also prevents any screen reading, including screenshots, which may mean that some accessibility features, such as screen readers and magnification tools for the visually impaired, will no longer function.
Signal complains that Microsoft gave them no choice, forcing them to take measures such as forcibly disabling features that certain people need, such as accessibility.
Signal said, 'Microsoft should provide us developers with features that allow us to protect our privacy. Recall is a clearly flawed feature that limits our options. It is unreasonable for apps to have to protect privacy with gimmicks, so we hope the development team will carefully consider this situation.'
After multiple delays since its announcement, Recall finally released a release preview version in April 2025. However, it is reported that there are still problems, such as the function to filter sensitive information such as credit card numbers not working properly.
Microsoft's 'Recall' has been improved by encrypting files, but it can be executed with just a PIN, so confidential data protection measures are still not reliable - GIGAZINE
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in Software, Posted by log1p_kr