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Detect camera usage

Posted: 12 Jul 2020 21:05
by Micky Micky
Hello,

I have work apps that take my photo whenever they want to. This is for security purposes and I'm fine with that.

I can hear the shutter sound but they're not using the camera app. I presume it's coded into their app.

Is there a way to detect the camera being used? By this I mean at a hardware level. It's always the front camera.

Many thanks

Micky

Re: Detect camera usage

Posted: 18 Jul 2020 15:40
by Desmanto
Do the app produce notification or any window opened? Or maybe toast message? If yes, they can be catched using notification on statusbar, UI Event or Notification on screen trigger.

But most likely those kind of app already working in stealth mode. So the only way probably is to use logcat to check for any events, or you can also use dumpsys media.camera. Logcat/dumpsys require root, or you can use AM 1.38 EAP which already support DUMP permission.

If the app triggered a broadcast before capturing (which you can find using logcat), then you can use Trigger General broadcast to capture it, no root needed.

Re: Detect camera usage

Posted: 18 Jul 2020 17:36
by Micky Micky
Hello

There's no indication of the photo being taken. I can't root this phone because of certain apps. Plus I wouldn't want to brick it!

I'll have to wait for the next AM update.

I'm just being nosy rather than paranoid.

Thanks for your help.

Micky

Re: Detect camera usage

Posted: 19 Jul 2020 15:08
by Desmanto
Your only choice left currently is to logcat in PC, not root required, but have to be plugged to PC during logcatting. Try to find if it generate broadcast. If you are lucky, then you can use that broadcast for the trigger.


Rooting using magisk doesnt' break all app. I still use the app which are not root-friendly, by simplying hide magisk from those. Most banking app also can be hidden this way. But risk of bricking is of course the biggest obstacle. Sometimes we can't risk it at all, so better wait for the feature.

Re: Detect camera usage

Posted: 19 Jul 2020 15:39
by Micky Micky
Hello

I would have to drive about with my laptop.

I tried changing the kernel on my S6 and got caught in a bootloop. Not a nice feeling until I escaped.

One of the work apps tells me to switch off Developer Options. I'm guessing they won't like root.

We wait patiently for the next update. I think it's due August.

Many thanks

Micky