The new setting in ChromeOS gives Chromebooks more privacy options. Important detail: This is a software setting.

Google adds a setting to the ChromeOS system that blocks access to microphones and webcams. This prevents all apps and websites from accessing both resources. Similar to a physical switch, the new privacy option blocks everything, so even applications like Google Meet, Zoom or Microsoft Teams cannot access it.

It goes without saying that this is a software application, not a hardware option. The latter is still preferred to ensure your privacy isn’t violated, but that requires a physical adaptation to the Chromebook. The manufacturers offer far too little of this today, which will perhaps happen even less with this software function in the future.

The best solution is still a physical cover for your webcam. Switching off the microphones is physically more difficult to control if the manufacturer does not provide it. For devices where the manufacturer doesn’t provide anything, we welcome Google’s new feature.

This new privacy feature will be rolled out to all users in a software update later this year. Once the update is available, users will be able to go through it institutions, security and privacy access the new one privacy control-Section.