Latest news with #DigitalRightsManagement
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Indian Express
Signal rolls out new update to shield chats from Microsoft's Recall AI feature
Signal has released a new version of its desktop app for Windows 11 users that prevents Microsoft's controversial Recall feature from taking screenshots of secured chats on the end-to-end encrypted messaging platform. The new version of Signal for Windows 11 has Screen Security, which means that nothing will appear when users attempt to take a screenshot of their Signal chats using the Recall feature that is available in Copilot+ PCs. This setting is automatically enabled by default, Joshua Lund, a developer at Signal, said in a blog post published on Wednesday, May 21. 'Although Microsoft made several adjustments over the past twelve 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,' Lund said. '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,' he added. Microsoft's Recall feature was launched last month after being delayed twice. The AI agent-driven feature takes continuous screenshots of the computer screen every few seconds and stores them in an easily searchable database. Recall essentially acts as a sort of 'photographic memory' for users who may want to revisit something they saw on their computer screen like an email or website based on the description of a picture or a broad conversation topic. Soon after it was announced in May last year, Microsoft had to roll back the feature due to intense backlash over privacy and security concerns. The revamped version of Recall is now an opt-in setting with an encrypted database and sensitive data filter. However, the changes appear to have not convinced Signal. The messaging platform's move highlights a growing divide between developers and operating system vendors like Microsoft over OS-level AI systems having access to sensitive information within apps. Screen Security in the Windows 11 version of Signal is based on Digital Rights Management (DRM), which is the same underlying technology that makes it harder for users to screenshot Netflix content, for instance, on their devices. To be sure, Signal's trick to block Recall snapshots may not be breaking any rules. The platform has pointed out that Microsoft's official developer document itself notes the usage of DRM on an app window will ensure that 'content won't show up in Recall or any other screenshot application.' Signal has also acknowledged that there could be some legitimate use cases of taking a screenshot. 'For example, some accessibility software (such as screen readers or magnification tools for people who are visually impaired) may not function correctly otherwise,' it said. The Screen Security feature can also be disabled by going to Signal Settings > Privacy > Screen Security. However, turning off Screen Security in Signal Desktop on Windows 11 will always display a warning and require confirmation in order to continue, it added. It also clarified that Screen Security on a user's local computer will not prevent users on the other end of the chat from taking screenshots of the messages. 'If you are communicating with someone who uses a screen reader on macOS or Linux, for example, keeping screen security enabled on your side won't prevent them from taking screenshots or adversely affect any accessibility software they may be using,' Signal said. Earlier this year, the messaging platform was at the centre of a major political controversy after a journalist from The Atlantic became privy to the US government's top-secret missile strike plans by accidentally being added to a Signal group chat.
Engadget
21-05-2025
- Engadget
Signal will block Microsoft Recall from snooping on your texts
Encrypted messaging platform Signal is rolling out a feature called Screen Security to its Windows app. It's broadly a way to prevent a computer from logging screenshots of your messages when the app is open, but in a blog post , the company directly called out the Recall feature in Windows 11 as the reason for this new capability. Signal explained that what it essentially did was to flag its application as protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM), because content under that umbrella will not be recorded in a screenshot on a Windows device. It's the same reason that a movie streaming from Netflix will appear in screenshots as a black box. Screen Security will be on by default, but this setting can be easily disabled for cases where a user does need to be able to access the application, such as when using a screen reader. "We hope that the AI teams building systems like Recall will think through these implications more carefully in the future," the company said. "Apps like Signal shouldn't have to implement 'one weird trick' in order to maintain the privacy and integrity of their services without proper developer tools." The Recall feature in Windows 11 has had a difficult and well-delayed development process. While the AI-powered tool to record everything on a PC's screen has some potential benefits for user productivity, it's also raised a lot of concerns about privacy and security. Although Microsoft has started rolling out Recall to Copilot+ PCs , not everyone is convinced that it's ready for prime time.
Associated Press
06-02-2025
- Associated Press
Securing digital content: Video DRM protection
02/05/2025, Bengaluru // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // In the digital age, protecting video content has become a huge concern for content creators, distributors and viewers. Video DRM protection (Digital Rights Management) is a technological mechanism designed to prevent and curtail the use of video files from unauthorized copying, sharing, and excessive access. Intellectual property is kept secure through DRM technologies as piracy threatens creators and streaming platforms' revenue streams. Video DRM protection employs encryption and licensing systems to restrict the distribution of content to authorized users only, thereby reducing the risk of illegal activity and safeguarding economic interests of content producers. With streaming platforms and digital video distribution on the rise, it's important to understand the worth of DRM if you are in the video content creation or distribution business. What Is video DRM protection? Video DRM protection is a method to protect digital video content from illegal use. The way it works is by encrypting video files that can only be played if the viewer has the decryption key — or license — which are often tied to the device or account of an end user. That way, only those with the necessary permission can see the content. DRM technologies work to place strict rules on the way video files can be played, shared or stored. This system is necessary for content creators to protect their intellectual property and monetize their work. Digital video lacked video DRM protection, meaning that the videos could be easily pirated and copied, and widely distributed, resulting in significant losses for the company and a loss of control over how the content is shared. The importance of video DRM protection for content creators Video DRM protection is a vital tool, for content creators, to secure their content from piracy and unlawful distribution. DRM is needed in the digital content world where digital video content can be easily copied and shared, in order to control who can access the content and how can it be used. A video without DRM can be stolen, reproduced, and distributed on illegal platforms, which crashes the financial lives of creators, studios, and distributors. Video DRM protection ensures that only paying customers or authorized users can access your content, helping you monetize it. It also limits its reach, refusing to allow content to be accessed from unauthorized areas ensuring the stolen content is contained within its footprint. DRM also works to make it more difficult for pirates to duplicate, alter or share protected videos. That ensures creators can be in control of their work and get paid equitably for it. How video DRM protection works in streaming services Video DRM protection is important for streaming services to prevent video content from being illegally downloaded or redistributed. These services usually rely on a mix of DRM technologies to encrypt their video files and restrict access to only authorized viewers. The encryption process prevents the video from being viewed on any other device or during any other time. Video DRM protection also works with license management systems to limit how many devices can stream the content, enforce geographic restrictions, and prevent unauthorized copying or screen recording. This is especially important for high value or exclusive content where piracy could lead to substantial financial losses. DRM is necessary for streaming platforms not only to protect content but also to comply with copyright laws, maintain good relationships with content creators, and ensure that legitimate users have secure access to high quality videos. Challenges associated with video DRM protection Video DRM protection is an effective way to prevent piracy, but there are challenges. The main issue is the balance between security and user experience. This can be inconvenient for legitimate users, for example, requiring frequent reauthentication or limiting how content can be shared across devices. Also, some DRM systems might create incompatibility problems, when the device or the software used by the user is not compatible with the DRM used. In addition, hackers could find ways around DRM protections, making it a game of cat and mouse for content creators and streaming services to stay ahead of potential threats. Complexity is further compounded by the evolution of hacking techniques, which means that DRM systems must be constantly updated and improved. However, video DRM protection is one of the most effective ways to prevent unauthorized use of digital video content and protect intellectual property, despite these obstacles. The future of video DRM protection Video DRM protection technologies need to evolve as digital content evolves. The future of DRM will likely have more advanced features like artificial intelligence and machine learning to help detect and prevent piracy, more effectively. As high definition video formats like 4K and 8K further grow in popularity, DRM systems will have to adapt to deal with increasingly larger file sizes without compromising security. Additionally, the continued development and use of cloud storage and streaming services will necessitate the growing sophistication of video DRM protection to ensure video content is protected across various platforms and devices. Future DRM technologies may also aim to increase user convenience, reduce disruptions, and provide increased flexibility while maintaining strong security measures. The importance of DRM in the digital content landscape will continue to grow as technology evolves. Conclusion: The role of video DRM protection in content security To conclude, video DRM protection is an important tool in the battle against piracy and unauthorized digital video distribution. DRM works on protecting content through the encryption, using license management systems, so that only authorized users can access content. While DRM is not risk free and there are problems with user inconvenience and hacking, the benefits of DRM outweigh the risks especially in revenue protection and copyright compliance. With growing digital video consumption, video DRM protection will become increasingly important to enable creators and platforms to keep making the high quality content and deliver it securely to global audiences. With the digital landscape ever advancing, potential further advancements in DRM technology may solve current issues, offering a more user friendly experience as content protection.
