Brave and AdGuard Block Windows Recall to Safeguard User Privacy

Overview

• Brave 1.81, due August 5, will automatically declare every browsing window as private to prevent Windows Recall from capturing screenshots.
• AdGuard has also blocked Recall by default, labeling the feature a privacy concern over its continuous background screenshots.
• Brave’s approach uses Microsoft’s SetInputScope API to block only Recall captures while allowing other screen-capture and accessibility tools to operate.
• Recall, an opt-in Windows 11 feature for Copilot+ PCs, takes periodic screenshots into an encrypted, search-able timeline, prompting privacy backlash from advocates.
• Developers call for more granular OS-level controls as Microsoft assesses how to manage Recall’s extension with its new Copilot Vision AI feature.