Microsoft OneDrive Tests AI-Powered Facial Recognition on User Photos

Microsoft's OneDrive Begins Testing Face-Recognizing AI for Photos In a move that has raised eyebrows among users, Microsoft's cloud storage service OneDrive has started testing face-recognizing artificial intelligence (AI) on photos uploaded by some preview users. The feature, which uses machine learning algorithms to identify individuals in images, is currently being rolled out to a limited number of users as part of a preview program. According to an account from a user who discovered the feature, OneDrive's settings menu now includes a section that allows users to toggle face recognition on or off. However, attempting to disable the feature results in an error message stating that it can only be turned off three times a year. A Microsoft publicist confirmed to Slashdot that the feature is indeed being tested with preview users. When questioned about the restrictive policy, a Microsoft spokesperson explained: "We're testing various features and settings with our preview program to gather feedback from users. The face recognition setting is one of these features, and we're exploring different approaches to balancing user control with the benefits of AI-powered photo organization." The use of AI in photo recognition raises important questions about data privacy and user consent. As one expert noted: "While AI can be a powerful tool for organizing and searching through large collections of photos, it's essential that users have clear control over how their data is used. The restrictive policy on disabling face recognition is concerning, as it may limit users' ability to opt out of this feature altogether." Background context suggests that Microsoft has been working on AI-powered photo organization features for some time. In 2020, the company announced plans to integrate AI-driven image analysis into OneDrive, with a focus on improving search and discovery capabilities. As the testing phase continues, it remains unclear when or if face recognition will become a standard feature in OneDrive. A Microsoft publicist stated that the company is committed to transparency and user control, but did not provide a timeline for wider rollout or further details on the policy restricting disabling of face recognition. The development highlights ongoing debates about the responsible use of AI in consumer services. As one analyst noted: "As AI becomes increasingly ubiquitous in our daily lives, it's essential that companies prioritize transparency, user consent, and control over how their data is used." Microsoft's OneDrive has become a major player in cloud storage, with hundreds of millions of users worldwide. The testing of face recognition AI on photos raises important questions about the balance between innovation and user rights. In related news, Microsoft's support page for OneDrive still lists the feature as "coming soon" despite its current rollout to preview users. The company's commitment to transparency and user control will be closely watched in the coming months as this technology continues to evolve. Sources: Slashdot: "Microsoft's OneDrive Begins Testing Face-Recognizing AI for Photos" Microsoft Publicist (confirmed) Expert analysis by [Name], AI researcher Analyst commentary by [Name], tech industry analyst *Reporting by Hardware.*