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Re:Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera by jsjohnst on Friday July 10, 2020 @06:37PM (#23797391)
Plug in a headphone cable that has the wire to the microphone cut. There’s also pre-made plugs on Amazon too (search “microphone blocker”).
Re:Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera by solarkraft on Friday July 10, 2020 @07:30PM (#23797832)
That does nothing except switching the default audio source to the blocked channel. Any app that can access the default source can access the still working microphone just as well.
Re:Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera by jsjohnst on Friday July 10, 2020 @08:07PM (#23798106)
There’s apps (it’s also pretty easy to write one yourself like I did) that monitor when the input source is changed and forces it back immediately. Yes, wish that feature was built into the OS, but I also don’t grant almost any app microphone access.
Re:Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera by JadeNB on Friday July 10, 2020 @07:16PM (#23797722)
Wikipedia says that doesn't work for smartphones: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microphone_blocker#Smartphone_... . If a smartphone can override it in software, then couldn't a computer also do so?
Re:Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera by jsjohnst on Friday July 10, 2020 @07:20PM (#23797753)
Depends on the laptop hardware in question, just as it does on which smartphone you’re using, as your link indicates.

If your laptop (or iPad, in the case of the latest gen) is an Apple T2 equipped device, this is somewhat relevant (“somewhat” as it’s not directly related to my original reply)

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/security/secbbd20b00b/...