Signal Announces New Windows App Update to Boost Privacy with Screenshot Blocking
In an effort to enhance user privacy, Signal has rolled out an update to its Windows application that blocks screenshots when the new “screen security” feature is active. This update is designed to prevent sensitive content from being captured, giving users greater control over their private information.
The company has made this screen security feature the default setting on Windows 11, aiming to protect users from potential privacy breaches. This move comes as a response to Microsoft’s Recall feature, introduced last year, which continuously captures screenshots to allow users to scroll back through their activities. While Recall can be useful, it also raises privacy concerns, especially when dealing with sensitive information.
Although Microsoft paused the rollout of Recall last year following user backlash, testing resumed in April through the Windows Preview Channel. The feature is now opt-in, with an option to pause it at any time, giving users more flexibility. However, Signal warns that even with these safeguards, Recall’s continuous screenshot capturing might still expose sensitive content.
When the new screen security setting is active, attempting to take a screenshot will result in a blank screen, preventing any visual capture of the displayed content. It’s worth noting that enabling this feature may interfere with other functionalities, such as screen readers, which might not work as smoothly. Users can toggle this setting off via Signal Settings > Privacy > Screen security, but the app will prompt a warning to confirm the change — helping prevent accidental disabling of the feature.
Signal emphasizes the importance of privacy-focused design, stating, “We hope that the AI teams building systems like Recall will think through these implications more carefully in the future. Apps like Signal shouldn’t have to rely on ‘one weird trick’ to safeguard user privacy without proper developer tools.”
This update marks a significant step toward protecting user privacy on Windows, especially in an era where digital security and data protection are more critical than ever.
