[ShadowAce]

[Red Badger]

Try THIS trick!......................

[PGR88]

Most people assume that muting their computer’s microphone gives them total privacy.

People should assume, at all times, that anything on an Apple, Microsoft, Google device offers ZERO privacy.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Bump for reference.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

bkmk

[Pollard]

While the researchers didn’t name the specific applications that do this, they strongly hint that it is most video and conference call apps.

I don't use video/call apps. I have microphone muted via the button on the laptop as well as in settings.

[Yo-Yo]

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison discovered that your device’s microphone continues to listen even after hitting the mute switch.

While the researchers didn’t name the specific applications that do this, they strongly hint that it is most video and conference call apps. In a blog post, the study claims that all the apps they tested “occasionally gather raw audio data while mute is activated.”

It took a real Einstein to figure this one out. Mute your mic while in a Teams or Zoom meeting, then say something. On your screen the words "Your Mic Is Muted" appear. Gee, if the mic isn't listening to you while the mic is muted, how did the program know you were speaking?

The "mute" while in a video call is only muting audio going to the other participants. It isn't muting the audio going to your own computer.

[broken_clock]

[Disambiguator]

Your computer microphone still listens even on mute – Try this trick

They should have said "Try this one weird trick."

I use an older desktop that doesn't have a built in microphone or camera, so I think I've got it covered.

[Dalberg-Acton]

On my Linux Mint, I right click on the speaker icon in the far right (oh, yeah!) of the task bar, then select "Mute input".

Super easy!

[Freedom_Isn't_Free]

I build my own PCs - been at it for 25 years. I don’t install cameras or microphones in my machines.

[Tired of Taxes]

I think it’s reading our minds. Only partly kidding...

Yesterday, my thoughts went briefly to something I read 40 years ago. Immediately, an article about it popped up on my newsfeed. Weird.

[Bigg Red]

Mark

[dayglored]

I immediately became suspicious when, using MS-Teams, I would have to clear my throat, so I muted my microphone, cleared my throat, and Teams would pop up a message saying:

Are you trying to talk? Your microphone is muted.

Oh, really, is it? Apparently not, eh?

[ducttape45]

Great article, thanks for sharing. For me, I do not have a microphone or headphones hooked up unless I absolutely have to have it, so no one is listening to me!

[Faith65]

Thanks.
BKMK

[Still Thinking]

It also doesn’t matter whether you use a built-in microphone or an external one, as it’s the platform’s software that dictates how the microphone works.

That's a bizarre statement. If the platform software can plug the external mic back in or take it out of that bucket of water I dumped it in, I need to hire their programmers!

[Albion Wilde]

bump

[Openurmind]

Yep, and find the mic port on your laptop and fill it with fingernail polish. If you need a Mic then plug one in externally and unplug it when you are done. Completely and physically disable the factory integrated mic with nail polish. Black tape is of course old school for the camera. If you need a camera plug in an external only when needed.

Think I’m kidding? Been there... Proved it over and over.

[BereanBrain]

in a Mac (Monterry or later OS), a orange dot will appear at the upper right of the screen if any data is read from the microphone.