Confidentiality has always been one of the main problems of modern mechanisms. Whether Android or iOS, macOS or Windows, privacy issues have only intensified. Microsoft now appears to be testing an auditing tool that provides information about programs accessing hardware that is considered confidential.

Microsoft is testing a new Privacy Checkup feature that will allow Windows 11 users to see which programs are accessing hardware like microphones, cameras, and more. computer. At its core, it’s a set of tools that show which apps have access to sensitive devices. The tool will also show when programs are accessing the hardware.

A privacy audit would apparently go beyond providing information about access to confidential equipment. Android and iOS already have extensive permission settings that allow you to control exactly what tools, features, and data are loaded by installed apps. The Privacy Checkup Tool may offer something similar for Windows 11. This feature was recently highlighted by Microsoft’s VP of Operating System and Enterprise Security:

As you can see from the tweet above, the tool is part of the “Privacy & Security” section of the “Settings” program. Apart from revealing microphone access information along with a timestamp, it also allows users to see which apps have or have access to screenshots, messages, location data and more.

The privacy control is not available in the stable version of Windows 11. It looks like Microsoft is testing this feature for developers in an earlier version of Windows 11. Therefore, anyone wishing to test this feature should be a member of Windows Insider Preview and download the latest build available on the Dev Channel. Source