ChromeOS “Privacy Hub” icons on device shelf will let you toggle access to camera, mic, more

Earlier this year, ChromeOS began prepping what’s known as the ‘Privacy Hub‘ – a one-stop shop for all of your device’s privacy and security options. In essence, it will likely be very similar to the privacy controls and indicators found on Android 12 and 13.

When your camera or microphone is active, you may be notified so that you can choose whether or not to deactivate it to protect yourself against snooping from apps or websites.

Placing this type of granular control in the hands of the user is a trend that’s picked up a lot over the past few years as companies like Google and Apple face scrutiny in congress.

Per our friend C2 Productions on Twitter, the Privacy Hub indicators are beginning to appear on the Chromebook shelf as seen below. They are currently inoperable, but in time when they release to the public on the Stable channel of Google’s operating system, I imagine one or multiple of the indicators will appear once a camera, microphone, or screen sharing is active and clicking it will toggle said icon to cut off access to that part of the device entirely.

@chromeunboxed @GabrielBrangers @jojothetechie @robby_payne @michaelperrigo
The Privacy Hub, just improved by introducing these buttons on the shelf (Weird Placement!). These are not working but maybe they are to say that these inputs are turned on. Not Sure…
They do light up pic.twitter.com/2M65S5lh3z

— C2 Productions (@cr_c2cv) October 28, 2022

In other reports, we’ve seen green status indicators appearing on the shelf as well, so it’s my opinion that this is exactly what it is. I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts – are you surprised that such a feature never existed before now? I sure am, but I’m glad it’s being implemented now.