Microsoft’s Gaming Copilot sparks privacy concerns over screenshot data collection
Microsoft faces privacy concerns after users found its Gaming Copilot AI collects screenshots without a clear notification. The feature uses optical character recognition to extract text from game images and sends the data to the company’s servers for artificial intelligence training. A user named RedbullCola discovered the practice while testing an unreleased title under nondisclosure terms and noticed unusual network transfers.
The screenshot collection activates automatically when players install Gaming Copilot. Users can disable the feature in the Xbox Game Bar settings under the Privacy menu. Voice chat recordings remain private unless players manually enable sharing. The lack of upfront disclosure may violate consent requirements under European data protection regulations.
Privacy advocates want Microsoft to explain what information the system gathers and provide clearer options before data collection begins. The situation highlights tensions between the development of artificial intelligence and user control over personal information. Gaming professionals worry the feature could expose confidential material that appears on screen before official release dates.
