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
    2020-11-02T04:39:55+00:00

    But can anyone tell me why edge wants to turn on the camera? I appreciate knowig how to deal with it but I thik users deserve an answer as to why?

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-11-02T09:10:44+00:00

    But can anyone tell me why edge wants to turn on the camera? I appreciate knowig how to deal with it but I thik users deserve an answer as to why?

    I agree this question definatly needs to be answered by Microsoft as it is nothing more than a Gross Intrusion into Peoples Privacy at the very least.  and so totally unnecessary.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-12-08T22:26:32+00:00

    Hi all, 

    I understand that the notification that Microsoft Edge was accessing your camera was alarming, so I'll do my best to explain why this was triggered. 

    There were two cases where Microsoft Edge would check for a connected capture device that may have caused this. The first was through Bing, where a check was occurring to determine if mic/camera buttons should be displayed. We've removed this check and now always display the mic/camera buttons. The second is in edge://settings, which we are in the process of changing to only occur on the capture devices settings page. 

    Note that while your antivirus software may have notified you that Edge was accessing your camera/microphone, your camera and microphone were never activated during this check to see if they were connected. This is why your settings for camera/microphone permissions (both within Edge and in general settings) did not come in to play. Microsoft Edge cannot access your camera/microphone without explicit permission. 

    You shouldn't be seeing that alert on opening the browser anymore (only on opening settings for now) but if you're seeing it anywhere else you don't expect or have any questions, let me know!

    -Alex

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-12-09T01:08:19+00:00

    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!

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-12-09T02:01:30+00:00

    Yes I have just checked and its the same here, I don't use 'Bing' and Norton still has to Block Edge. But I shall have to take a look again tomorrow as my eyes wont stay open any longer Zzzzzzz

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