During our Librem 15 campaign, we asked backers what they would prefer:

A keystroke combination that kills the camera and microphone and a second keystroke combination to kill wireless and BlueTooth in software. A function key that kills the camera and microphone and a second function key to kill wireless and BlueTooth in the BIOS. A physical kill switch that kills the camera and microphone and a second physical kill switch to kill wireless and BlueTooth in hardware, severing the circuit entirely.

In what was a near unanimous vote from a very vocal audience, are proud to be adding option #3 physical kill switches, which are single pole double throw toggle slider switches to both the Librem 15 rev2 and the Librem 13.

A brief video showing the Purism Kill Switch for Microphone and Camera in action. As you can see from the terminal output, the circuit is severed, removing the USB device from the kernel, and adding it back in again. Simultaneously, you can also visually see the video displaying a ‘device not found’ message when the Purism Kill Switch is toggled off.

We at Purism are doing what users want, respecting rights to freedom and privacy. The Purism Kill Switches are just one of the many ways we are challenging the status quo, improving the way we interact with our digital world.