Signal messenger has announced that the latest version of its Windows application now prohibits users from taking screenshots of the interface by default. This decision comes in response to the new Windows 11 feature called Recall. The Recall tool, powered by AI, takes screenshots every three seconds, indexing and storing nearly everything the user does.
The company is concerned that this system poses a threat to the privacy of users’ conversations. According to the official Signal statement, they have implemented additional default security measures on Signal Desktop for Windows 11 to address this issue, despite the inconvenience it may cause to users. Users who still wish to take screenshots can manually enable this option in the settings.
Initially introduced in May 2024, Recall has faced criticism from security experts due to potential privacy risks. The tool used to be enabled by default, storing screenshots and recognized text without encryption. Following backlash, Microsoft temporarily removed Recall from the initial Windows 11 release. When it was reintroduced in April 2025, Recall could only be activated manually, with encrypted databases and improved settings to control indexed contents.
However, researcher Kevin Bomont has highlighted vulnerabilities in the updated version of Recall. Bomont discovered that sensitive information, such as bank card details, could still be accessed through simple methods like PIN codes or fingerprints. Additionally, there are concerns about whether malicious programs could potentially exploit this data access.
Furthermore, Microsoft has not provided developers with an API to prevent their applications’ contents from being indexed by Recall. This lack of control puts privacy-focused services at a disadvantage. Signal developers have found a workaround by utilizing a system API originally intended for protecting copyrighted content, which now prevents Windows from taking screenshots of the Signal application.
Signal emphasized the importance of developers considering the consequences of their tools on user privacy. They stated that private messengers should not rely on obscure technical solutions to ensure confidentiality. While Signal’s actions decrease the likelihood of Recall capturing private messages, this protection is only effective if all users communicate through Signal on Windows and do not alter the default settings.