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Brave Browser Blocks Microsoft’s Recall Feature To Protect User Privacy
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Last Updated: Jul 23, 2025
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Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Content Manager
The Brave Browser blocks Microsoft Recall through its screenshot-logging feature on Windows, as the feature poses major privacy risks to user activity.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- Brave blocks Microsoft Recall by default in all browser tabs.
- Recall takes regular screenshots and stores them in plaintext on PCs.
- Brave labels every tab as private to prevent Recall screenshots.
The upcoming v1.81 version of Brave will automatically turn off Microsoft Recall on Windows 11 and later. The company says in their announcement that this new feature aims to further protect users’ privacy.
The feature known as Recall was publicly introduced by Microsoft in May 2024. Neowin described it as a “photographic memory” for PC users. Indeed, the system captures frequent snapshots of your activity and stores them in a searchable record.
But experts quickly raised red flags. Critics warned that this “timeline” could be a goldmine for hackers and malware, since the data is stored in a plaintext local database.
“Given Brave’s focus on privacy-maximizing defaults and what is at stake here (your entire browsing history), we have proactively disabled Recall for all Brave tabs,” wrote Brave. “We think it’s vital that your browsing activity on Brave does not accidentally end up in a persistent database.”
While Microsoft says Recall avoids capturing private browser windows, Brave has taken it a step further: it now treats all its tabs as private, effectively making them invisible to Recall.
Signal inspired Brave’s move by using a Digital Rights Management (DRM) flag to block Recall from recording chats. However, Brave’s method avoids the downside of blocking all screenshots, preserving useful functions like screen readers.
Brave acknowledged Microsoft’s efforts to make Recall opt-in after public backlash but remains concerned. “The initial tone-deaf announcement does not inspire confidence,” wrote the team.
Users who want Recall can still toggle the setting off in Brave’s privacy menu.
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