Each website needs specific permissions to execute the job it is meant to do. For example, Google voice search needs permission for a microphone to listen to the voice command. Similarly, a website that compares photos and displays related items needs permission for storage.
However, it doesn’t mean that all websites need those permissions. Hence, unless you use these services on a particular website, blocking them is strongly recommended.
By default, Google Chrome shares standard permissions with all the sites. However, it also can block permission access for the selected website. In our case, we will block the microphone and camera permission for Chrome.
Block Camera Permission
All the websites we visit do not require camera permissions. However, the website where you need the webcams for video calling, like, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, etc., might need google chrome camera access. Hence we can safely block the camera access to all the other sites. All of that can be accessed under the camera settings.
Here are the steps to block the camera permission for websites:
- Launch the Google Chrome app on your computer.
- Click on the More
menu for options. - Select Settings from the list.
- Scroll down to the Privacy and Security section, and select the Site settings from the menu.
- Choose the Camera option within Site settings.
- Switch to the radio button – Do not allow sites to use your Camera.
This will completely block the camera access to all the websites on the browser on any computer device.
If you need camera access to the website, turn OFF the Blocked toggle. This will allow the websites to request access to the camera; you can either allow or block requests.
Unless you are 100% confident about the website, do not grant permission to the camera. The chrome camera settings provide the blocking feature to help their users be on the safer side!
Block Microphone Access
The microphone is another feature that users often neglect. It is strongly recommended to block microphone access to all the sites. However, if you need access to sites where you perform voice command searches, you can allow those sites.
Here are the steps to block the microphone access permission:
- Launch Chrome browser on your computer.
- Click on the More menu for options.
- Select Settings from the list.
- Scroll down to the Privacy and Security section, and select the Site settings from the menu.
- Choose the Microphone option within Site settings.
- Switch to the radio button – Don’t allow sites to use your Microphone.
It will disable the microphone permission and not ask whether to allow or deny the microphone request for any website in the Chrome browser.
If you enable the option, then sites can request permission to access the microphone, and you can allow or block them based on your needs.
Bottom Line
Google Chrome provides various options to control access and permissions for various services. The ability to grant or revoke the camera and microphone access is advantageous. It is strongly suggested to block this access and grant only when needed.
Similarly, you can allow or block a camera and microphone on Chrome Android. The camera and microphone can be used for illegal access. Please be careful while granting the permissions.
What is your default setting for the camera and microphone for the Chrome browser? Have you allowed any websites?
Lastly, if you've any thoughts or feedback on How to Disable Camera and Microphone in Chrome Computer, then feel free to drop in below comment box. You can also report the outdated information.
