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Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

mashable.com

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Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#2

Post by f_allwein »

I realized that while my iPhone 4s used to fit into my shirt pocket (which was one of Steve Jobs' original design specifications), the 5s I now have is so large that the camera peaks out from my pocket. Plus there's a camera on either side, so if somebody did hack into it, they could at least see something other than the inside of my pocket.

Simple solution: I now put the phone in my picket upside down.

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#4

Post by js8 »

As Eric Schmidt has put it: "If you have something that you don't want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn't be doing it in the first place."

So if you don't want people to know you put a tape over your webcam, maybe you shouldn't do it. ;-)

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#5

Post by vilda »

I believe the simplest solution on Apple's side is to add a physical indicator of when the camera is on or off. It must not be software controlled, not even on system/FPGA level. Best if attached on power on/off. With a hysteresis so that even quick on/off will be noticed.

Edit to add: Here's what may happen if the indicator is software controlled: "iSeeYou: Disabling the MacBook Webcam Indicator LED" https://jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/bitstream/handle/1774.2...

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#6

Post by y7 »

f_allwein wrote: post #2

I realized that while my iPhone 4s used to fit into my shirt pocket (which was one of Steve Jobs' original design specifications), the 5s I now have is so large that the camera peaks out from my pocket. Plus there's a camera on either side, so if somebody did hack into it, they could at least see something other than the inside of my pocket. Simple solution: I now put the phone in my picket upside down.

With the headphone jack on the bottom, this makes more sense anyway.

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#7

Post by gabemart »

I would feel a lot more comfortable with a cover for the webcam on my 2015 MBP, but the anti-reflective coating on the display is so famously, ludicrously sensitive and prone to delamination that I'm really reluctant to affix anything to the webcam/display. (This is less of a concern if you are Mark Zuckerberg.)

Any recommendations of a nice, soft-touch (perhaps silicone?) cover that can be left on while the machine is closed and won't damage the webcam lens or display surface?

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#8

Post by dkersten »

vilda wrote: post #5

I believe the simplest solution on Apple's side is to add a physical indicator of when the camera is on or off. It must not be software controlled, not even on system/FPGA level. Best if attached on power on/off. With a hysteresis so that even quick on/off will be noticed. Edit to add: Here's what may happen if the indicator is software controlled: "iSeeYou: Disabling the MacBook Webcam Indicator LED" https://jschola…

The problem is, how do I the consumer know that its not software controlled? I have to trust Apple or whoever that its not.
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