Hi all,
I sometimes see concerns here about desoldering cameras, mics, and sensors from a Pixel device in the name of extra peace of mind from prying eyes and ears.
I don't have much to say about sensor and mics.
But I'd like to share that for the cameras at least, around $25 USD is enough to achieve the equivalent of a "hardware kill switch" that's toggle-able at will.
If you type "pixel [your model #] case with slide camera protector" into your favorite e-commerce search box, there are often a number of cases for around $15 that can keep the back camera blinded except when needed.
For another $10 or so, you can type in "webcam privacy cover" and get some smaller slide covers that adhere to the front of the phone, just above the front camera. (It may take some research and experimentation to find one that's the right size for your Pixel)
I've been using my Pixel with these accessories for some time now, and can vouch for the effectiveness of the camera blocking and peace of mind gained. I feel like I no longer have that "creepy evil eye" feeling when seeing a naked lens pointed at me all day.
I trust GoS to isolate the cameras from harmful surveillance at the software level when properly configured, but I like the peace of mind of the extra hardware layer because its harder to accidentally toggle on without noticing.
Just thought I'd share in case it hasn't occurred to some folks.
Also, I'd love to hear if anyone has recommendations for a specific brand or model of slide camera protector case that they've had good experiences with.
Thanks all