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I have been using the new version of edge for a while now and have come to notice every time it loads up the software tries to turn the webcam connected to the computer "ON".
As I do not use Skype or there is no reason for Edge to need the camera I find it unreasonale for Microsoft to think it has a right to spy on me at my computer by using the camera without asking.I have put black tape over the camera lens on every computer I own that has a camera ( 2 Desktops and 3 Laptops).
This begs me to wonder what other means Microsoft is using to spy on our computers without our consent, I do wonder if there are people who have computers in their bathrooms and do not know they are being watched via the pinhole camera on top of the screen or watching some ones daughter as she is doing her homework on her computer unaware the camera is looking down her cleavage.
Launching Microsoft Edge on Windows 10
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Likely an add-in or something with your setup as that doesn't usually happen.
Got any add-ins for Teams, Slack, Skype, Zoom, ?? installed?
You double checked which apps you give access to your camera in Settings - Camera permissions? I have Edge in mine, but I'm never prompted until I use a website that actually needs the camera.
What I found extremely distrusting, unethical, and quite frankly A MAJOR violation of my right to privacy is that even though I have the most strict privacy setting activated for MS Edge, which means I have blocked all tracking cookies and third party cookies, I've blocked the mic, basically anything with an "off" option is off including camera for all sites even for MS Edge itself. So the other day I'm going through my WIndows 10 privacy settings and randomly came across this tiny little fine print that said " Microsoft last accessed webcam at blah blah blah"...... Which came as a complete shock because I have it set so that it doesn't do that. Plus, you mean to tell me Microsoft knows my preferences and decided it will access my webcam to look at me... THAT TOO WITHOUT MY CONSENT or acknowledgement of any kid...? That is usually called a criminal act in the normal world... So I reset settings to default and reselect every strict setting all-over again, except now I had downloaded Kaspersky Total Security and literally the second it finished the download/install/setup I clicked MS Edge to do some work..... WIthin seconds I get a Kaspersky notification stating "Microsoft Edge is Accessing Your Webcam" " Did you give this permission" and that is what completely had me lost for words because THREE TIMES NOW I HAVE TOLD MICROSOFT IN PLAIN ENGLISH STOP F**KING ACCESSING MY WEBCAM LIKE IM NOT ASKING FOR MUCH HERE JESUS CHRIST AND GUESS WHAT THREE TIMES MICROSOFT BASICALLY SAID "WE HEAR WHAT YOURE SAYING WE RESPECT YOUR PRIVACY BUT GO F YOURSELF WE WILL WATCH YOUR WEBCAM WHEN WE WANT DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT"...... I've been very very loyal to microsoft I don't even use chrome anymore but after this incident and blatant breach of my privacy I'm slowly going to transition away from all microsoft products as it clearly doesn't care for mine or your privacy I promise you.. In fact anyone reading this go buy Kaspersky Total Security setup safe internet and on on microsoft edge and see if you get the same notification I promise you will
Thank you for your response Alex. Yes, I am still getting the Norton notification. There is no place in Edge settings to turn the camera off or on and I've never gotten any buttons. In Windows permissions there is no option to turn anything on or off in Edge: In fact, Edge isn't even listed.
I do not use Bing so that's not the issue.
I understand you are telling me that while Edge was accessing the camera it was never actually turned on. I believe you; I never got the camera indicator lights - but still, why was Edge accessing it in the first place? And why can I not turn this access off in neither Edge nor Windows?
The Windows mysteries just keep rolling on!
Hi, Its under 'Settings', then select 'Site Permissions' in which you will find a list of items and 'Camera' is in there. Hope this helps
Under 'Settings...Advanced' there is 'Website Permissions'; the only button is 'Manage'. This produces a list of websites; nothing about camera under that or any of the listed sites - or anywhere else in Edge.
I turned the camera off for Edge in Windows (Settings...Privacy...Camera). There is no way that I can find to turn the camera off in Edge itself. Hopefully this will do it - but I still have the same questions: Why is Edge using my camera; and Why is there no way to disable the camera in Edge?
If you check the setting, it prompts whether to allow the app or the website to use your camera. You still have control over which information and devices Edge will use.
I recommend providing feedback to Edge's dev team by pressing Alt + Shift + I. Any new updates and implementations will be available in the next update. I'm pretty sure would love to hear about your privacy concerns.