Why does the new version of edge want to turn my web camera "ON"

Anonymous
2020-04-12T01:23:18+00:00

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.

Microsoft Edge | Open the browser | Windows 10

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-07-30T18:20:17+00:00

    As with Ess Dee 202's post I have also set Edge to block webcam access and also to have sites ask permission first but as mentioned in my own post above, Edge overrides its own privacy settings to allow it to turn on the webcam, without asking permission, when I start using it. I have had to use my antivirus settings to specifically block Edge from using the webcam.  It is not to do with add ons, as Edge was  turning on the camera when i first opened Edge, at a time when the add on wasn't open or being used. Also the add on now works  fine even though I have set my anti virus provider's settings to block edge from accessing my camera

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-07-30T17:35:07+00:00

    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.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-07-30T13:30:07+00:00

    I changed both settings in Edge, but Edge still requests access to the camera during launch.  I know this because Norton 360 is still asking me to respond to the camera request . . . the same as before I turned off the camera in Edge.  Sounds pretty sneaky.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-06-14T04:09:49+00:00

    Hi what I have found even worse is that even if  you  set the privacy settings within Microsoft Edge itself, either to block webcam access or to have sites ask permission first, even then Microsoft Edge is overriding its own privacy instructions but without telling the user, and as the person posting the question above says, there is no need for the camera to be turned on when opening microsoft edge anyway. Also, I didn't even ask for  the new microsoft edge, it came as part of a windows 10 compulsory download and now can't be uninstalled.

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-04-12T14:21:44+00:00

    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.

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