Google ChromeOS Update Will Bring Privacy Indicators, Similar To Android 12

Google is preparing to roll out a couple of privacy indicators to ChromeOS via the latest update. Privacy indicators will alert users when an app uses their microphone or camera. The indicators will show up in the form of small green dots in the corner of the device’s display. The feature is already available on Google’s mobile platform as part of the Android 12. Now, we can expect the tech giant to make it available for all the latest Chromebooks.

Google ChromeOS To Get Privacy Indicators Via Latest Update

According to Chrome Story, Google’s work on the upcoming privacy indicators have been spotted in a Chromium Gerrit entry. The firm is planning on adding a Chrome flag, named chrome://flags#enable-privacy-indicators, which hints that the upcoming feature will function in line with the one available on Android. It shows a green icon in the status area and also adds a silent notification to the tray while screen sharing or camera/microphone is being accessed.

Also Read: Google Chrome Gets iOS 16 Lockscreen Widgets With New Update

For Android users, the privacy indicators are shown in the top right corner next to the battery icon. However, ChromeOS will add them at the bottom right of the screen in the status area, alongside other elements like the clock, calendar, and notifications. ChromeOS will also receive a silent notification explaining what the indicator means. In contrast, Android users have to swipe down to reveal the notification shade and then quick toggle and tap the privacy indicators to get an explainer.

As for the launch, there is no information available on the exact release date. However, we can expect the firm to roll out the privacy indicators for ChromeOS soon.