I use devices like the Apple TV and the Google Chromecast. The first because it improves the operation of my TV: the interface is more agile and some streaming applications offer higher quality. For its part, the Chromecast This is the device I take from home when I go on vacation: it doesn’t take up space in the suitcase and is very easy to use.
It’s a way to convert any TV, even an old one, into a complete Smart TV. When I left it with a family member, he told me about a curious aspect, at least for him: a green dot appeared on the screen from time to time. I didn’t know what it was and I was worried. But, in case there are more users like him (in fact, there are discussions on Reddit that talk about it), I’ll tell you the same thing I told you. In summary and as a spoiler, I can reassure myself: it’s a function that seeks to improve privacy and security.
A green dot, the Chromecast whistleblower
You may have already seen the green dot that appears on the mobile screen, but it also appears on the TV when we use the Chromecast. The explanation in both cases is very similar.
From time to time and for a short period of time, you may see a small LED indicator appear. This may remind you of the lights and indicators that appear on some car dashboards. It is an alert that warns of somethingbut of what?
The first thing to say is that it’s nothing serious. It’s just a safety measure to warn the user. And since the TV doesn’t have another LED indicator (except in exceptional cases) or the Chromecast, this little spy does its job and warns that An application is currently accessing the microphone. In the case of the Chromecast, it does not warn about location access, which I checked using apps to see the weather forecast.
This notice indicates that, even though you may not know it, an application has access to this specific permission. The goal is to alert the user stop an app from spying on youeither by listening to it with the microphone or by activating a webcam if you have one installed.
The opinion in XPlore
In my case, it is something exclusive to Chromecast, since the TV I have with Google TV does not have this type of alert. For the tests, I used three different apps in which this green dot always appeared: it was the Play Store, Netflix and X-Plore, a fantastic file explorer.
The notice on Netflix
In the case of the microphone, the first thing that appears for a moment is a small green icon with the microphone logo, then turns into a green dot which appears on the screen for a few moments.
The review in the Play Store
In fact, you can enter the “Settings” of the Chromecast, by clicking on the cogwheel and in the section “Applications”, check in the “Permissions” which apps have access to the microphone or other features.
You can also check it in “Settings” come in “Confidentiality” then choosing “Microphone” to see which applications are allowed to access. This way you can clear up any doubts and, if you deem it necessary, remove the permission from a specific application.
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