hello, the reason behind all requested permissions is explained in How does Firefox for Android use the permissions it requests?

access to hardware controls in particular is used for technologies like webrtc: https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2013/09/17/webrtc-now-available-across-mobile-and-desktop-with-new-firefox-for-android-compatibility/ (this is also implemented in chrome and other browsers)

of course your camera/microphone will not turned on automatically, but there will be a dialog that enables you to choose if you want to do so each time a page is requesting that. for a demo how this is done please visit: https://apprtc.appspot.com

When I look at a Firefox forum search through google it show no permissions for a Camera. What version of Firefox does this apply? below is the Firefox forum reponse which does not include any Camera permission.

How does Firefox for Android use the permissions it requests?

This article describes how Firefox uses the permissions it requests, while respecting your privacy and personal data. Mozilla is committed to your privacy: Firefox Privacy Policy

Firefox for Android currently uses these permissions:

   Your location - Fine (GPS) location. GPS location is used only when you choose to share your location with a website. Firefox never uses your location itself or shares it with a website without your permission. Learn more about Firefox's location controls. 

   Storage - Modify/delete SD card contents. Firefox uses this permission to save downloaded files to the SD card. Firefox will also store its own settings and history on the SD card if you use the Android Settings app to move Firefox to SD storage. 

   Hardware controls - Take pictures and videos. When a web page requests an image file to upload, you may choose to take a picture with your device's built-in camera. If a site wishes to use your microphone for communication, you may choose to share that as well — such is the case with sites using WebRTC. Firefox never records audio, takes a picture, nor records video unless you ask it to, and only if you opt-in when requested. 

   Network communication - Full Internet access, view network state. Firefox uses these permissions to download web pages, add-ons, and other content over the Internet. 

   System Tools - Install shortcuts. This permission is used by Firefox to allow you to add bookmarks or web app shortcuts to your device home screen. 

   System Tools - Prevent phone from sleeping, prevent tablet from sleeping. The Adobe Flash plug-in uses this permission in versions of Firefox that include Flash support. 

   System Tools - Modify global system settings. Firefox uses this permission to enable or disable your Firefox Sync account when you change your sync settings. 

   Your accounts - Act as an account authenticator, manage the accounts list, use the authentication credentials of an account. If you set up Firefox Sync, then Firefox uses these permissions to add your sync account to the Android sync settings. 

   Your personal information - Read and write Browser's history and bookmarks. Firefox uses this permission if you choose to import history and bookmarks from the default browser on your Android device. 

   Control Near Field Communication (NFC) - Allows the use of the NFC chip on the device. Firefox uses this permission to share tabs by tapping two devices with NFC together. 

   Record audio - Record audio from the device's microphone. Firefox uses this permission for WebRTC (real-time communication). This feature is still in development and is currently available only to developers.

hello, the camera permission is part of the "Hardware controls" - this applies to all current firefox on android releases...

hi mace2:

I think Philipp did a great job of explaining this. Therefore I am locking this question.

Thanks Philipp!

mace2 if you have further issues please create a new question

Cheers!

...Roland