A laptop camera can turn a perfectly ordinary workday into an unexpectedly awkward experience. A forgotten video call, an app requesting camera access, or a browser permission granted months ago can leave you wondering which programs can actually see through that little lens.
Fortunately, your laptop offers more control than a piece of tape over the camera. Windows and Mac computers include privacy settings that let you manage which apps can access your webcam. Some controls also reveal which programs have interacted with it. A quick inspection can help prevent unnecessary access without sacrificing the convenience of video calls.
