Anyone else having issues with iPhone camera, microphone, and desk view being reported as active by MacOS?

[MilkandGin]

Hello:

Below is a log from Micro Snitch, an Objective Development app that monitors and logs FaceTime and iPhone camera activations. This is a small portion of the log, which extends back days and days and days. As you can see, every couple of minutes, Micro Snitch is reporting that my iPhone camera, microphone, and desk view cameras are being activated. Some activations are occurring for as long as twelve minutes, and some are far more brief. All activations occurred while the iPhone is not connected by wire to my MacBook Pro, on which Micro Snitch is installed.

To be clear, I do not use FaceTime, and I have Continuity Camera turned off (as a security risk). There is no option to disable 'desk view camera,' and since my iPhone is not tethered to my MacBook, desk view should not be an issue at all.

I currently have the flu, so each activation in the log below occurred while I was asleep and both devices were asleep. When my MacBook Pro is asleep, it makes loud knocking sounds every couple of minutes, trying to push through notifications that the cameras and microphone have been activated.

The question is: why?


Nov 14, 2023 at 12:33:57 PM: Video Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:33:57 PM: Video Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Desk View Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:33:58 PM: Video Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Desk View Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:33:58 PM: Video Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:33:58 PM: Audio Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Microphone

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:34:20 PM: Audio Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Microphone

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:34:20 PM: Video Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:34:20 PM: Video Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Desk View Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:34:21 PM: Video Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Desk View Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:34:21 PM: Video Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:34:21 PM: Audio Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Microphone

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:35:55 PM: Audio Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Microphone

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:35:55 PM: Video Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:35:55 PM: Video Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Desk View Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:35:56 PM: Video Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Desk View Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:35:56 PM: Video Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:35:56 PM: Audio Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Microphone

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:36:35 PM: Audio Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Microphone

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:36:35 PM: Video Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:36:35 PM: Video Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Desk View Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:36:36 PM: Video Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Desk View Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:36:36 PM: Video Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:36:36 PM: Audio Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Microphone

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:36:56 PM: Audio Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Microphone

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:36:56 PM: Video Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:36:56 PM: Video Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Desk View Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:39:28 PM: Video Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Desk View Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:39:28 PM: Video Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:39:28 PM: Audio Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Microphone

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:40:30 PM: Audio Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Microphone

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:40:30 PM: Video Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:40:30 PM: Video Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Desk View Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:40:31 PM: Video Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Desk View Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:40:31 PM: Video Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:40:31 PM: Audio Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Microphone

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:41:52 PM: Audio Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Microphone

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:41:52 PM: Video Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:41:52 PM: Video Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Desk View Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:56:43 PM: Video Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Desk View Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:56:43 PM: Video Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 12:56:43 PM: Audio Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Microphone


Example of longer-duration activations:


Nov 14, 2023 at 11:10:25 AM: Video Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Desk View Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 11:10:25 AM: Video Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 11:10:25 AM: Audio Device connected: J.J.’s iPhone Microphone

Nov 14, 2023 at 11:27:40 AM: Audio Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Microphone

Nov 14, 2023 at 11:27:40 AM: Video Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Camera

Nov 14, 2023 at 11:27:40 AM: Video Device disconnected: J.J.’s iPhone Desk View Camera


I was asleep, as were both my devices.

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hello,

Sorry for the delayed response.

I had never heard of Micro Snitch until your post. Honestly, the best suggestion would be to work through their support directly, as they would have the best knowledge of what is happening that is being logged with their software.

C