[1]Apple's T2 security chip disconnects a MacBook's microphone when
    users close the lid

    Feature only available for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models
    released in 2018.

    Apple revealed today that all new notebooks that come with a
    built-in T2 security chip will now disconnect the built-in
    microphone at the hardware level when users close their devices'
    lids. This new security enhancement is meant to prevent malware from
    secretly recording users.

  (Via ZDNet)

  I like this use of the T2 chip. If we can just get a hardware camera
  disconnect option and the ability to trigger both regardless of lid
  state and beyond some laptops, that would be delightful.

  Apple seems to miss the point, though:

    While Apple hasn't explicitly spelled it out in the October version
    of the T2 chip white paper, the new feature was likely added to
    prevent malware or intrusive apps from secretly recording users when
    they close their lids, and when users normally believe the device
    and OS are in a suspended state.

    Once the lid is open, the idea is that users will either rely on an
    antivirus capable of detecting running malware or apps like
    [2]OverSight that [3]alert the user when a Mac process -legitimate
    or not- tries to access a device's microphone or camera.

    Apple also said it didn't configure the T2 chip to disconnect the
    camera at the hardware level similar to the microphone because it
    was pointless as the camera's field of view is obstructed anyway
    when the user closes the lid.

  Also on:

  [4]Twitter
    __________________________________________________________________

  My original entry is here: [5]Talk About Burying the Privacy Lede. It
  posted Fri, 02 Nov 2018 11:21:44 +0000.
  Filed under: privacy, tech,

References

  1. https://www.zdnet.com/article/apples-t2-security-chip-disconnects-a-macbooks-microphone-when-users-close-the-lid/
  2. https://objective-see.com/products/oversight.html
  3. https://www.zdnet.com/article/new-attack-can-stealthily-monitor-your-mac-video-calls/
  4. https://twitter.com/prjorgensen/status/1058319110067703809
  5. https://www.prjorgensen.com/?p=2217

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