This small visual indicator informs the user when an application is accessing the microphone or camera. A function that is still little known, yet integrated directly into the system.
Smartphones rely on numerous sensors, used constantly for calls, voice messages, photos or videoconferencing. In order to make these uses more transparent, operating systems automatically display a mark on the screen when one of these sensors is requested.
Thus, each access to the microphone or camera automatically triggers the display of a light mark. On certain Android models, location may also be affected by this mechanism. This information appears on top of all apps, whether you’re on a social network, a game, or your home screen. By interacting with this indication or opening the quick settings, it is possible to identify precisely which application is using the sensor. This tracking allows you to quickly understand whether the activation corresponds to a voluntary action, such as filming a video, or whether it occurs for no obvious reason.
The user no longer needs to guess or navigate through all the menus to find out what is happening in the background: the system notifies him in real time that a sensitive component is in use. This alert appears during a phone call, a video meeting or the taking of a photo. However, it becomes suspicious if it appears when no open application seems to justify access to the microphone or camera. Concretely, it is a small colored dot which is displayed at the top right of the screen: on Android, it is green when an application uses the camera or the microphone; on iPhone it is green for the camera and orange when only the microphone is in use.
It is then possible to consult the name of the active application, then adjust its permissions from the phone’s settings. It is then advisable to review the permissions granted, removing access to the microphone and camera for applications that do not have clear and immediate use. Furthermore, certain security applications, such as Norton Mobile Security or Bitdefender Mobile Security, can check if something abnormal is running on the phone. And, in case of serious doubt, it is recommended to back up your data and then completely reset the device.
