Some time ago, Microsoft introduced an ambitious new AI-powered feature called Recall, designed to bring a more immersive experience to Windows. However, the announcement quickly sparked backlash, with concerns around privacy and data security leading Microsoft to delay its rollout in order to make further improvements.
But what Microsoft likely didn’t anticipate was the pushback from app developers themselves. The first to resist was Signal, the well-known encrypted messaging platform. Now, Brave and AdGuard have joined the movement, actively taking steps to block or limit Recall’s access to user data within their apps—fueling what appears to be a growing trend of developers opting out of this feature altogether.
Adguard and Brave, the browser, block the ‘recall’ function for privacy concerns
In case you missed it, Recall is a feature announced by Microsoft for Copilot+ PCs, designed to automatically capture and log nearly everything you see or do on your computer. The idea was to help users “remember” past activity and make working across apps and files more seamless.
But the moment Recall was introduced, it drew immediate backlash on social media, with many calling it a serious privacy risk. The concept of Microsoft recording screen content—including sensitive or private information—was unsettling for many users.
As a result, some developers began actively resisting Recall’s integration. The first to take a stand was Signal, the secure messaging app, which blocked the feature earlier in 2025. Now, AdGuard and the Brave browser have also joined the movement.
AdGuard publicly addressed their concerns in a blog post, calling Recall a clear threat to user privacy. They criticized its ability to capture screenshots even from private windows or sensitive forms—such as banking details—stating this opens the door to serious data exposure.
Brave, meanwhile, said they were inspired by Signal’s stance and will disable Recall by default for Windows 11 users. Anyone who still wants to use it can manually re-enable the feature through a simple toggle in the settings.
Back in May 2025, Signal began using DRM protection to prevent Recall—and any other screen-capturing tools—from accessing its interface, effectively blocking screenshots entirely. Brave, on the other hand, doesn’t block screenshots outright but does make use of Microsoft’s developer settings to opt out of Recall and ensure user privacy is respected.
The growing pushback against Recall has reignited debates around digital privacy, with many users—and now developers—demanding more control over how AI features access their data. The fact that prominent apps are proactively blocking Recall sends a strong message: privacy still matters, and platforms must respect the boundaries users expect.
