Microsoft teams prevents screenshots with a new function

Microsoft teams should offer the opportunity to prevent unauthorized screen shots of team conferences in the future. The contents of the conference such as shared screen contents or the webcam views of the individual participants should be better protected.

As in the Microsoft 365 Roadmap The software company works on a corresponding function called “Prevent Screen Capture” (“prevent screen recording”). When this is activated, the Windows window turns black with the team conference as soon as a user tries to take a screen recording.

Outdated team versions are restricted

Microsoft does not provide more precise information, but logically this should only happen with the users who are trying to use a screen. However, it is still unclear whether the new function will be switched on by default or whether the organizers of a conference must first switch on them. In theory, it would also be conceivable to enable all participants to have the decision individually – then screen recordings would no longer be possible as soon as only one user prohibits screen recordings.

However, it could be stupid for users whose device does not support the new function: In the future, they should only be able to participate with audio view if your team client does not support the new function. Here, too, Microsoft owes more precise information which constellations could fall under this category. On the other hand, if you only have an outdated team version, you will quickly get stuck: Microsoft wants team clients who are older than 90 days unusable.

The new function is planned for Android, Windows, Mac, iOS, and the Team WEB app and is scheduled to come in July 2025. Of course, undesirable shots of team conferences cannot be prevented. With the new function, it would still be possible to film or photograph the screen with an external camera, for example your own smartphone.

Microsoft’s approach is a little reminiscent of Netflix. The streaming provider also tries rigorously to prevent screen shots while users stream their content. In the past, for example, users of the video software reported OBS im OBS support forumthat browser windows with Netflix were only blackened and recorded without sound.

Screenshot ban also for recall?

It also becomes exciting how the screenshot ban in teams should match with the controversial Microsoft Recall. Because this is more or less in constantly creating screenshots from the user’s screen – in order to evaluate them later with Microsoft’s KI Copilot and to offer the user helpful recapitulations of his activities, it praises Microsoft. Recall has not yet been available in the EU – but Microsoft will generally have to consider how Recall fits together with the ban on screen shots in teams. The roadmap is also silent about this.