Protect Your Camera and Mic: Who Can Watch and Listen?

Why this matters

Cameras and microphones are built into phones, laptops, tablets, TVs and speakers. Most apps use them harmlessly—for video calls or voice messages. Still, only the ones that truly need access should be allowed. When you grant permissions deliberately, you make life a lot harder for snoops and malware.

Step 1: Check permissions on your phone

• Open the “Privacy” or “Permissions” section in Settings and review the camera and microphone lists.
• Revoke access for any app that doesn’t need it—a flashlight or a game doesn’t require a microphone.
• Where possible, select “Only while using the app” instead of “Always”.
• Modern phones display a colored dot or icon when the camera or mic is active. Keep an eye on it.

Step 2: Computer and browser

• On Windows and macOS you’ll find in the privacy settings which programs are allowed to use the camera and microphone.
• In your browser you can set per‑site permissions. Only grant access to sites you actually use for video calls.
• A webcam cover or a piece of tape is a simple, reliable addition.

Step 3: Smart devices in the living room

• Voice assistants and smart TVs listen for a wake word. Many have a button that completely shuts off the mic—use it for confidential conversations.
• Check in the device’s app whether voice recordings are stored, and delete them if needed.
• Security cameras should be on the guest Wi‑Fi, with a separate password and up‑to‑date firmware. Our Home Network Check can help.

Caution: Extortion emails claiming recordings

A common scam: an email claims your camera has been hacked and that there are embarrassing recordings of you. It demands payment in cryptocurrency. Sometimes it even includes an old password of yours to look legit—usually lifted from a past data breach. In most cases there are no recordings at all. Don’t pay, don’t reply, change the mentioned password wherever you still use it, and delete the email. Our emergency help page walks you through the steps.

Signs something’s off

• The camera’s indicator light turns on even though you’re not using it.
• Unknown apps or programs appear in the camera/microphone permission list.
• The device gets unusually warm or the battery drains noticeably fast.

If so: remove unknown apps, revoke permissions, update the device and change passwords.

And the VPN?

A VPN protects your connection—e.g., video calls on a hotel or café Wi‑Fi—from eavesdroppers on the same network. Which app on your device may use the camera or mic, however, is decided only by you in the settings.