Google has unveiled a series of new security features for ChromeOS this week, designed to make Chromebooks more attractive for business environments. Tony Ureche, Head of Security, Identity, and Privacy for ChromeOS, described the new privacy features in a blog post.
The new features include system-wide privacy controls, which allow users to manage their camera and microphone settings from one place in Settings. With one click, users can turn off their camera or microphone completely for extra confidence when participating in video calls, virtual meetings, or other activities. This software solution replaces the need for physical kill switches or covers for the camera and microphone.
The new security features also benefit Chromebook manufacturers, who no longer need to add hardware switches or physical covers to their devices. The move is part of a larger effort by Google to make ChromeOS and Chromebooks more secure and attractive to corporate IT administrators. As Ureche says in his post, the new security offers “a safe and familiar experience in the modern workplace”.
