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by dkersten 3651 days ago
The problem is, how do I the consumer know that its not software controlled? I have to trust Apple or whoever that its not.
3 comments

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.

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.
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.
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.