Remix clone Hacker News

Am I the only one that is not worried at all about the camera and super concerned about microphones ? The camera may see me staring into the screen, woo hoo. The microphones will hear everything I discuss, incl. confidential information.

There is no physical microphone cover there, is it ?

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lukan 4 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Sound is usually more sensitive, yes. But even if there is a physical switch on the laptop, only very exotic smartphones have them.

Also, loudspeakers can act as microphones, too.

In other words, paranoia gets exhausting in modern times.

(And my smartphone has a replacable battery for that reason to at least sometimes enjoy potentially surveillance free time)

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MarcusE1W 4 hours ago | parent [-]

My Pinephone has a switch for the microphone and also my Pinebook Pro laptop. But I also would agree that this is exotic hardware.

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whatevaa 36 minutes ago | parent | next [-]

Well i have Pinebook Pro and it's pretty much abandonware, pine doesn't do any software and OSS lacks maintainers, nobody want's it, e-waste laptop. Take it as you will.

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lukan 3 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

"But I also would agree that this is exotic hardware."

No shit. How is the current state btw?

I suppose still not ready to be a daily driver to replace my normal phone?

	▲	ri0t an hour ago \| parent [-]
		> I suppose still not ready to be a daily driver to replace my normal phone? I'd say that depends on your definition of daily driver and/or how much compromises you're willing to take. I occasionally see members at my larger hackerspace running around with those or other seemingly "unfit" hardware and not complain too much about it ;)

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michaelt an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

The camera privacy issue arises because teenagers and college kids often have their computer in their bedroom.

So a webcam hack that lets them watch my 16 year old daughter study would also let them watch her sleeping, getting dressed, and making out with her boyfriend.

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jdblair 5 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

The Framework has a physical microphone switch next to the camera switch.

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klausa 6 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Modern (2019-ish? forwards?) MacBooks have physical disconnect for microphones when the lid is shut.

	▲	jack_arleth 5 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Framework laptops have the same solution.

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camgunz 4 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

A picture of you with the subject "I know what you were looking at when I took this picture of you" is pretty good blackmail--I think there's an active campaign doing this even.

	▲	jeltz 31 minutes ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Excellent blackmail against teenagers. Pointless against me as an adult.
	▲	ddalex 4 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		This would've been blackmail 20 years ago.... nowadays it's just "of course you know, I shared my OF likes publicly", will not even raise an eyebrow; or perhaps I'm living in too bohemian society circles

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djtango 5 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Yes I really wish we could have a physical switch for device mic

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spacemanspiff01 4 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I honestly like the physical switch on the framework, which disconnects the microphone/webcam fully.

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ashoeafoot 4 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Your speakers are a microphone ..

	▲	benj111 2 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		I seem to recall reading somewhere that 'everything' is a thermometer, on the basis that many things behave differently at different temperatures. You can also use an LED as a light sensor. and I also came across a YT vid of a console that used a piezo electric speaker for motion sensing. I wonder if you could use a track pad to pick up sound.
	▲	Sporktacular 2 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		Yeah, but they aren't an input device with an amp wired in the right direction and an A/D converter to read it out.

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ykonstant 4 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

As someone who often speaks gibberish to myself due to ptsd, if someone recorded me in my room they could convince anyone I am utterly insane, beyond any hope. It is a great way to blackmail people with coprolalia or other verbal tics.

And yeah, if they had access to my webcam, they would just see a guy staring into the screen or walking back and forth in the room.