Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam • Hacker News Board

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#51

Post by beefield » Wed, Jun 22, 2016, 9:58 AM UTC

js8 wrote: post #4

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. ;-)

So, I assume Eric Schmidt has not only publicized his e-mail password, bank account details & activities, full health record and all correspondence with insurance companies, but offers 24/7 live stream from his google glass to the world.

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#52

Post by caberus » Wed, Jun 22, 2016, 10:48 AM UTC

SeanDav wrote: post #47

Wow - this is being flagged fast. Was near the top, now 2 minutes later, is down to 54 and dropping fast - wonder who is flagging this article?

i'm curious about that too

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#53

Post by jimboj » Wed, Jun 22, 2016, 12:29 PM UTC

vilda wrote: post #26

wtf_is_frp wrote: post #17

So... is it possible to turn on a webcam without the light? (referring to macs) I used to tape it, but stopped out of fear of looking stupid.

Apparently yes in some cases, iSeeYou: Disabling the MacBook Webcam Indicator LED [1] [1] https://jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/bitstream/handle/1774.2...

That only works on pre 2008 Macs, I haven't seen any evidence about it being possible on later models.

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#54

Post by jimboj » Wed, Jun 22, 2016, 12:30 PM UTC

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…

Is there any evidence of this being possible on Macs made after 2008?

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#55

Post by emsy » Wed, Jun 22, 2016, 1:02 PM UTC

The main problem I see with this is that Mr. "The age of privacy is over" doesn't eat his own dogfood. But that's probably because his users are "Dumb fucks" (to quote him again).

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#56

Post by mrweasel » Wed, Jun 22, 2016, 1:16 PM UTC

rhizome wrote: post #50

SeanDav wrote: post #47

Wow - this is being flagged fast. Was near the top, now 2 minutes later, is down to 54 and dropping fast - wonder who is flagging this article?

It's a stupid story.

Meanwhile "Lenin was a mushroom" is the first story on the front page.

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#57

Post by norea-armozel » Wed, Jun 22, 2016, 2:13 PM UTC

js8 wrote: post #4

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. ;-)

So by his logic, if I don't want people to know I'm seeing a therapist therefore I shouldn't be going to a therapist? Seriously, dude needs to kindly stuff it. Sorry for the snark, but it really annoys me when I see that "if you've done nothing wrong then you have no reason to hide" meme repeated.

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#58

Post by majortennis » Wed, Jun 22, 2016, 3:16 PM UTC

just_observing wrote: post #46

I have found Micro Snitch to be very useful: https://obdev.at/products/microsnitch/index.html "This ultra-light menu bar application operates inconspicuously in the background. It monitors and reports any microphone and camera activity to help you figure out if someone’s spying on you."

Is there any Microsoft equivalent. In before jokes about my privacy being long gone on win10.

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#59

Post by 746F7475 » Wed, Jun 22, 2016, 4:36 PM UTC

746F7475 wrote: post #18

wtf_is_frp wrote: post #17

So... is it possible to turn on a webcam without the light? (referring to macs) I used to tape it, but stopped out of fear of looking stupid.

The light is controller via software, it would be wiser if the light took power from the camera (e.g. if camera was powered the light would be on), but currently it doesn't do that.

Why did I get downvoted?

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#60

Post by basch » Wed, Jun 22, 2016, 4:46 PM UTC

wyclif wrote: post #3

I'm guessing Zuckerberg can afford to spring for something more elegant: http://eyebloc.com/

soo, that attaches to my phone? everyone is all worried about their laptop spying on them, and they have a handheld forward facing camera pointed at their face all day?