Websites can access mic without permission

Description of the issue:
Hi, for a while Mac has been warning me that Brave is using my mic, even when I have not approved mic access to any websites in the browser’s settings.

Sometimes it’s random but I noticed it happens frequently when I have a twitch stream open. Does anyone have a similar experience or an explanation for what’s happening?

I saw a similar post where the replies said this is just the browser checking your available devices. If this is the case, why does the browser need to constantly access my mic to do this, especially when privacy is one of the main selling points of Brave.

I also noticed the issue usually occurs when at my desk, and my headset is connected to my audio interface.

How can this issue be reproduced?

  1. Use headphones connected through audio interface
  2. Allow Brave to access your Mic in MacOS privacy settings
  3. Ensure website mic access is disabled in Brave settings
  4. Go to Twitch and open up a livestream.
  5. An orange indicator should appear in the topright of your screen, this is MacOS notifiying you that Brave has begun using your microphone.

Expected result:
I recorded a video of the issue, but can’t attach it since I’m a new user. Here are some screenshots:


Brave Version:
Version 1.73.91 Chromium: 131.0.6778.85 (Official Build) (arm64)
MacOS Version
15.0.1 (24A348)
Additional Information:
When I mute or close the tab it stops accessing my mic.

Please edit your Original Post, above, to include Mac OS version.

1 Like

Okay, I just updated it.

Same deal with https://www.reddit.com/r/chrome/comments/18egn2j/anybody_elses_chrome_just_randomly_access_the/

I notice this with the camera for quite a long time now on startup with Windows. I assumed it was just a browser check because Brave is the only place where the camera is allowed in my settings, but find it weird and unsettling to see the popup when I am not using the camera myself.

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