A new mechanism tested on Windows 11 in the Beta Channel allows apps to access system occupancy sensors to optimize PC resource consumption
A Microsoft try a new tool that will allow apps to detect user presence. The new privacy setting called “Presence Detection” will allow apps to query device sensors to monitor user activity and thus optimize resource consumption and refine the experience.
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The configuration is contained in the Windows 11 Build 22624.1610 distributed in the Beta Channel, released Thursday (14) in the compilation KB5025299. According to the feature’s documentation, the switch gives access to a mechanism that “features a sensor that detects whether a user is present, absent, or not interacting with their device.”
Microsoft does not specify how it perceives user activity, but it is likely that the system has native mechanisms that use mouse movement and keystrokes to detect presence. This way the computer can see if the PC is in use, but without being so invasive.
The new option would give the user control over the app’s access to the tracking system: activity data can remain hidden if they don’t want to. However, the feature provides a more refined experience, for example allowing the app to suspend activity or reduce resource consumption when the machine is not in use.
It’s worth noting that Windows activity data is entirely local, so it’s not sent to Microsoft’s servers for processing. However, access to information can allow applications to capture the user’s activity pattern to assemble, for example, usage statistics.
Where to find presence detection?
You can enable Windows 11 presence detection in Settings > Privacy and security > Privacy tracking.
At the moment the definitive release of the functionality is not foreseen and, for now, only the testers have access to it.
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Source: Terra
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