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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

#11

Post by js8 »

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…

Old Treos (and maybe Palm Pilots) had a similar switch to sound, which was great. You could turn it off and be completely sure that no software error can cause any sound whatsoever.

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#12

Post by samuellb »

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…

Or a lid that can be slided over it. As a bonus, it would also protect the camera from being scratched

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#13

Post by eddz »

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. ;-)

I can see where he is coming from, but this quote is wrong on so many levels.

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#15

Post by the_other »

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. ;-)

Eric Schmidt would say something like that: https://wikileaks.org/google-is-not-what-it-seems/

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#18

Post by 746F7475 »

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.

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#19

Post by optforfon »

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.

I think when you're a person as important as Zuckerberg - it'd not be unreasonable to think you're under surveillance by other governments and so you probably can't easily guarantee that your hardware hasn't been tampered with.

Re: Even Mark Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam

#20

Post by vilda »

dkersten wrote: post #8
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.

If you use Apple hardware, then you trust them on many other levels. As for this particular feature, some hobbies or profs (like fixit) may have a good chance to disassemble it and check.
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