Signal adds screenshot protection on Windows 11 to block Recall from storing your chats
Signal desktop users on Windows now benefit from an added privacy feature: a screen security setting designed to block screenshots of chat windows. When this setting is active, any attempt to capture screenshots of Signal desktop on Windows will fail, displaying no content from your chats.
This added protection is turned on by default for all Signal desktop installations running on Windows 11. By implementing this measure, Signal addresses growing privacy concerns around Windows Recall a background feature that automatically takes frequent snapshots of open applications and stores them in a searchable database. Signal's move aims to keep your messages out of Recall’s photographic memory, reinforcing the confidentiality of conversations even in potentially vulnerable environments.
While these enhancements are specific to Windows 11, the screen security feature is local to a user’s computer and does not stop screenshots from being taken on phones or other devices. Signal’s developers also note that enabling this added security can introduce some trade-offs for usability on Windows 11.
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Related news
External links
- By Default, Signal Doesn't RecallSignal • Official source
- “Microsoft has simply given us no other option,” Signal says as it blocks Windows RecallArs Technica
- Signal's new Windows update prevents the system from capturing screenshots of chatsTechCrunch
- Windows 11 Recall will fail to capture Signal chats as long as you have this feature enabledNeowin
- Signal says no to Windows 11’s Recall screenshotsThe Verge
- Signal will block Microsoft Recall from snooping on your textsEngadget
Comments
Funny that Signal needed to use the Windows' DRM protection API to hide the window content (instead of Recall API, that doesn't seem to exist), that was only intended to hide DRM content (like taking a screenshot of a DRM movie or ebook). But I understand that Microsoft doesn't want to offer too much control of Recall from devs to prevent making the functionality even more useless.