Google’s Chronium is supposedly open source and open to scrutiny. However Google added some code without telling anybody:
Without consent, Google’s code had downloaded a black box of code that – according to itself – had turned on the microphone and was actively listening to your room. Source
So it isn’t surprising that they didn’t tell anyone! Google needs this functionality so it can listen out for the few people who want to say “OK Google”.
In the near future expect computers / tablets / smartphones to have a physical off-switch for microphones and cameras. Because while it is easy to put some sticky tape over a camera lens, microphones aren’t as easy to block.
