Without realizing it, we leave the computer on, without being aware of the risk it poses to our privacy. To prevent intrusion or data theft, Microsoft is working on a presence detection feature for Windows 11, which is capable of identifying if the user is “present, absent, or not interacting” with the device, in case of absence of the user, block it and ensure its security.
The company refers to this new function as Human Presence Sensor, which is based on using a series of sensors that identify if a user is using the device. “Devices can be automatically locked when left unattended to protect sensitive files and other information,” explains the technology on the Microsoft Build page.
It is worth wondering if this new function will have a legal derivative related to the remote control that some companies exercise over the work of their remote employees to determine their level of productivity. And it is that the use of programs to monitor the activity of teleworkers has grown after the pandemic. Whether this is an invasion of employee privacy is something that is not yet legislated in most countries. But it would not be strange if cases began to appear in the short or medium term, especially following the release of AI systems such as ChatGPT, which allows some employees to have several jobs at the same time, often without their parents knowing. bosses.
Based on the activity it detects, this update will allow the device to execute actions such as automatically block itself in order to achieve greater protection, but also greater responsiveness and improved performance. For example, when the computer detects that it is “unattended” by the user because it does not identify its presence, it can be automatically locked to “protect sensitive files and other information.”
Also, the new feature will help improve performance with battery life. If the system blocks the device, “battery life can be conserved by reducing unnecessary screen downtime,” explains the multinational.
There is no start-up date for the Human Presence Sensor. This presence detection tool is still in a preview version of Windows 11 (Build 22621.1610) and has been released in the KB5025299 update for Windows Insider testers.
Beyond this improvement, Microsoft recalls that this update has also included the possibility for the user to manage their privacy, blocking the access of certain applications to these sensors of the presence detection function.
