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Destroy a Microphone
(lemmy.ml)
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this post was submitted on 13 Aug 2025
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Privacy
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Unfortunately even this is not that comforting because we don't know how the switch is implemented. Is it actually in series with the microphone data lines? Power lines? Ideally both but you'll never know. It could even just be a software GPIO switch (gonna bet Amazon Echos with their microphone switches are implemented like that) and unless you have the knowledge to check the PCB you'll always have that lingering suspicion.
This is a valid concern with a lot of manufacturers. My gut says that Framework actually does what it says, but here is a discussion about it:
https://community.frame.work/t/how-do-the-camera-and-microphone-switches-work/4271
The webcam light is also hardware for once. A lot of laptops do it with software, where people complain the camera turning on without the light being on. Framework shouldn't have that problem
The classic Technology Connections video: https://youtube.com/watch?v=m0mMF7GaIR0
I can verify that the OS fails to see the microphone and webcam when switched off. This was really confusing the one time that I wanted to use them.
I sort of suspect that the wiring is in a diagram somewhere. I could be wrong, but that would be my guess. It's not in a PCB, that's up in the bezel where it's just wires and stuff.
That's called a schematic and not only are those not public, they're closely guarded trade secrets that companies will spend a lot of resources to prevent from leaking to the public.
Also, just because a schematic says the switch is connected a certain way doesn't mean that's actually how it's connected. The only way to prove how the switch works is to inspect the traces in the PCB, which is very difficult to do especially without destroying it. Modern computers have multi layer PCBs that you'd basically need to peel apart to see the inner traces.
Here's the pinout for the webcam component: https://github.com/FrameworkComputer/Framework-Laptop-13/tree/main/Webcam
Unfortunately it isn't really clear whether the switch positions are in the pinout because it's the mainboard's job to implement shutting off the camera when it's off, or just as information with the webcam module responsible for shutting it off in hardware. I have no idea which it is, but it wouldn't be super-hard for someone capable with EE to take off the bezel and fool around with it and see which it is (or just pay $19 for the magic of buying two of them, if you didn't want to take apart your own laptop for it.)
They say they provide full schematics on demand to repair shops (https://knowledgebase.frame.work/availability-of-schematics-and-boardviews-BJMZ6EAu). I'm not sure why they don't want to just post them publicly, so in that sense you might be right, but they also don't seem like they are trying to keep them or the interface details of the webcam module fully top secret either.
They do seem like they publish enough information that someone could figure out the answer if they wanted to. (People in the forums have fooled around with them and seem to be convinced that they are actually hardware switches: https://community.frame.work/t/how-do-the-camera-and-microphone-switches-work/4271 IDK whether that's accurate, but that's what the forum people think.)
No idea why you're trying to lecture me from this position of authority about taking apart PCBs and whatnot. Anyway, that's how it works, hope this is helpful for you.