Facebook using microphone via Safari despite setting to 'deny'

Question

Level 1

4 points

Facebook using microphone via Safari despite setting to 'deny'

There's been a few times when I've noticed my microphone is active and when I hover over the icon, it informs tells me 'Safari' is utilizing the microphone.

When I start closing tabs, the microphone shuts off when I close Facebook. When I reopen a Facebook tab the microphone icon immediately returns. This is all despite the fact that underneath my Safari preferences, I have categorically denied microphone access to all webpages, and as you can see in the screenshot, even specifically Facebook, which is the only tab open.

It appears that somehow Facebook is bypassing Safari security and obtaining microphone privileges, a significant security issue.

Mac mini, macOS 26.5

Posted on May 12, 2026 1:08 PM

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Answer 1

May 12, 2026 1:18 PM in response to Marrz

First close all Safari tabs, then go to Safari > Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data, and enter Facebook in the Search field. Remove every site with Facebook in it name, then restart your Mac and open Facebook again to see if the Microphone returns. You may need to log into Facebook again and if Facebook requests Microphone access, then deny it when the prompt comes up.

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Answer 2

May 13, 2026 8:15 AM in response to Marrz

I would recommend contacting Apple for determination if it is a bug in Safari, but it is also likely that they will direct you to this Feedback page where one of the options is to file a Bug Report.

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Answer 3

Marrz Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 4, 2026 8:13 AM in response to kjames07

No update, I submitted a bug to apple months ago and notified a buddy in cybersecurity of what I discovered.

Switched to Firefox (on both Mac & iphone) and haven't had an issue since.

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Answer 4

Marrz Author

Level 1

4 points

May 13, 2026 12:14 AM in response to Mac Jim ID

I followed the directions you wrote precisely. And the first page I opened when I rebooted was Facebook. I did need to login again. The notification did not pop up (I have 'deny' as default so it shouldn't) but immediately after logging in noticed that I was once again being eavesdropped upon by Facebook with no other tabs open and Safari as the indicated listener.

Opened this support channel and Closed the Facebook tab and immediately the eavesdropping notification disappeared from my top-bar.

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Answer 5

Marrz Author

Level 1

4 points

May 13, 2026 12:56 AM in response to Marrz

I should also note that it is reliably Facebook, but it is not every time I use Facebook. I'd say it's maybe 20% of the times I open facebook that I noticed the microphone indicator. Additional information, my audio device is a finite USB soundboard featuring a hardware level 'mute' so I feel confidant they're not hearing anything.

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Answer 6

kjames07

Level 3

505 points

Aug 1, 2026 9:21 PM in response to Marrz

I know it's been a little bit since you posted this, but any update? I just noticed the same thing happening to me today. I also changed the privacy setting to 'deny' (it was previously set to 'ask').

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