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Is the iSight indicator LED hardwired or can it be circumvented?

Is the iSight indicator LED hardwired or can it be circumvented?

Hi,

Asked by: Guest | Views: 186
Total answers/comments: 3
mcgyver89 [Entry]

If the NSA wants to monitor you, there's really nothing you can do. Of course to help them from thought monitoring an aluminum hat might help. Here's a fancy one so you wouldn't look so much like a paranoid nut
mcgyver89 [Entry]

"I’m an Apple tech and I was wondering about this question too! Obviously the LED can be disabled. The question is would it require a software, firmware or hardware modification?

As a hardware technician I open hundreds of these systems. I can see that there is 5 contacts on the camera connector on the logic board.

Just by educated guess and my very basic knowledge of electronics I would say that 5 wires means the LED most likely can operate separately from the camera. I plan to take a look a a schematic to check this.

Obviously, this would require physical access to a device and you could also just remove the glass and disable the LED.

My next step after that will be looking into this at the software & firmware levels"
mcgyver89 [Entry]

"Hmm, for the sake of others who may search for this topic, let me just state that despite his assertions to the contrary, clearly Dan doesn't know the answer.

His reference to a bug prior to 10.7 above is misleading as it does not concern the link between the green light and camera, but is actually about someone being able to remotely use the camera (with green light on).

I'll remain looking for an answer and will post back again only if if I find one, or someone other than Dan posts something that actually addresses what the OP asked."