[Animats]

Those machines came with a camera that had a little door you could slide to cover it, so at least he had that protection.

Yes. Here's one in the closed position.[1] That feature seems to have disappeared.

There was a time when people were bothered about phones where the switchhook didn't physically disconnect the microphone. All the Western Electric phones had a hard disconnect when the phones were hung up. Many digital office phones don't have that, and can be used for eavesdropping.

[1] http://www.tamayatech.com/ProductImages/S/SGI-0138737XXX.jpe...