[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...

[alister]

Apple's very first camera accessory, the iSight camera, had a physical iris that you could open and close for privacy:

http://static1.squarespace.com/static/50271a61c4aab6c54f9af5...

I thought that was beautiful UI, since you knew that the lens was being blocked; you didn't have to trust that the software/firmware was doing the right thing.

[js8]

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.

[EvgeniyZh]

I had some Asus laptop which had a switch to physically close webcam: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images2500x2500/ASUS_N73S...

If you're paranoid, it could be transparent for IR or something though.

[dkersten]

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

[alister]

Indeed. I had a ThinkPad with a physical switch to turn wifi on and off. The OS got into a weird state one day (a driver or OS bug) and I was shocked to discover that wifi was working even though the switch was in the off position.

So even on a ThinkPad, these physical switches are fake, i.e., they are just software settings checked by the OS, and not a hardware override.

[rhizome]

Which is why I was glad Lenovo made it possible for me to order my current laptop without a webcam at all. I can just plug one in if I need it.

[vilda]

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.

[demarq]

The internet is full of people who will take it all apart and test the crap out of it!

It would be quite a claim and people really do love to put apple products to the test. see: bendgate.

[samuellb]

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

[vilda]

I'm not convinced Apple design department will allow that.

[frgewut]

If you enable camera for a fraction of second nobody would notice the change of indicator.

[MichaelBurge]

You can have the hardware display for a minimum of 3 seconds.

[frgewut]

Even that wouldn't be enough. And for some environments (e.g. living room) you would need super bright indicator accompanied by sound.

[jimboj]

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