Microsoft is quietly adding a new Windows app that wants to scan your face

Some Windows 11 users are discovering a new Microsoft app that they never installed. Called OneDrive Photos, it automatically indexes local photos and provides AI-powered search and optional face grouping.

The rollout was first spotted by industry publications Latest Windowscomes via Windows Update or updates to the existing OneDrive client rather than downloading it separately.

according to Latest WindowsOneDrive Photos can detect and display photos stored locally on the computer even if the user is not signed in to a Microsoft account. After logging in, the app enables AI-powered search that can locate images using natural language queries and optical character recognition.

The app also includes an optional People feature that groups similar faces, which is only visible to the user, is not shared with third parties, and can be deleted by disabling the feature. However, Windows Latest noted that the feature requires users to opt in because facial data may be considered biometric information in some jurisdictions.

This news comes two years after Microsoft was forced to do so repair AI powered recall feature after a A privacy backlash Which prompted the company to enable the screenshot tool by default.

More recently, in May, Google started… Loading The approximately 4GB Gemini Nano AI model for Chrome installations qualified through browser updates to run AI features on the device, raising concerns about AI capabilities arriving through routine software updates.

according to Latest WindowsOneDrive Photos is tied to your existing OneDrive client and cannot currently be removed on its own. Users who want to uninstall the app must completely remove OneDrive from Windows.

Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment Decryption.