On: France passes bill to allow police remotely activate phone camera, microphone

[AnimalMuppet]

A dumb phone might not be much better. There wouldn't be a camera for them to get, but they might still be able to get the microphone.

[dredmorbius → AnimalMuppet]

Many dumb phones have off switches (which actually work), or better: removable batteries.

(You can simply break the circuit with a piece of paper between the battery terminal and phone contact for convenience.)

[ragnese → AnimalMuppet]

Maybe fewer avenues for them to activate the microphone, though.