Microsoft is testing a new privacy settings call Presence Sensing. A presence detector for Windows 11 that will allow users to control whether apps can detect when they are actively interacting with the device and block their use if necessary.
This feature is being tested in Windows 11 Beta build 22624.1610 and as described by Microsoft «represents a sensor that detects whether a user is present, absent, or not interacting with their device.”. With it activated, you can block or allow certain applications to access the presence sensors. This means that the user can have more control over their privacy and prevent apps from collecting and using their data without their consent.
Presence detection can also have other practical uses. For example, Microsoft explains that devices can be automatically locked when unattended to protect sensitive files and other information. User intent can also be inferred to reduce the response time required from detection to authentication or interaction. Another benefit will be that battery life can be preserved by reducing unnecessary screen idle time when a user is not actively using Windows.
Users can find this setting in Settings > Privacy and security > Presence detection, as long as their device supports it.
Privacy… the eternal debate
Achieving total privacy in a world as connected as today is impossible to achieve unless you go into a cave and disappear. That said, we must continue to denounce that any current software collects more data than is desirable and those that are necessary for its operation and improvement. One of the reasons given for a telemetry that too often errs on the lack of transparency and user control.
Microsoft He is not exactly a champion of this issue and Windows 10 was a real nonsense, with an initial configuration that left the user “sold” before the massive collection of data. After criticism of spywarehas been improving at least in terms of user information and control, but even so, you have to get your hands on a system like Windows 11 from minute one.
In the case of the presence detector for Windows 11, Microsoft promises that will not collect images or metadata and all processing will be done and stored locally on the device hardware. He also adds that this detection “can significantly affect security, responsiveness, and performance” of the teams. We will see how it ends up being implemented when it reaches the stable version.
