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Encrypted messaging service introduces feature to block Windows’ Recall from taking screenshots of chats.
The open-source secure messaging app, Signal, introduced a new feature last week that lets the Windows version of the app block screenshots taken by the new Windows Recall feature.
The new “screen security” feature went live on 21 May and is enabled by default on desktop versions of Signal.
“Although Microsoft made several adjustments over the past 12 months in response to critical feedback, the revamped version of Recall still places any content that’s displayed within privacy-preserving apps like Signal at risk,” Signal said in a blog post.
“As a result, we are enabling an extra layer of protection by default on Windows 11 in order to help maintain the security of Signal Desktop on that platform even though it introduces some usability trade-offs. Microsoft has simply given us no other option.”
Ironically, to enable the feature, Signal’s developers were forced to take advantage of a DRM feature that content creators can use to stop users from taking screenshots of movies and TV shows. Using this setting means that any screenshot taken by Signal will simply be a blank image.
Unfortunately, it also means that other applications, such as screen readers and other accessibility software, may not work as users require. Because of that, the setting can be disabled on a per-user basis.
Signal defended this new feature by observing that Signal is used by many governments, militaries and companies – users who may not want screenshots recording sensitive communications. Similarly, many private conversations between everyday users of the app could be compromised by the Windows Recall feature.
According to Signal, messaging apps “deserve to be treated with at least the same level of caution that’s afforded to a web browser’s private or incognito browsing window – which Microsoft has already excluded from Recall by default”.
Windows Recall is a feature that takes and archives screenshots of Windows systems so that previous content, such as websites, can be recalled via an AI-powered search. The feature sparked a considerable backlash due to serious security concerns. It was withdrawn by Microsoft last year but was recently re-enabled in April 2025 with more security features.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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