Wtf. Newpipe for the win

(Sorry apple users)

If there's no setting in the iOS Settings app to take away the camera permission (which isn't even given by default and the app has to ask for it), it can't access the camera (unless it exploits a potential vulnerability in iOS, which I highly doubt).

It probably used data from motion sensors and the reason you saw your room was because of the glossy display. Or you have allowed the YouTube app to access your camera.

use uYouEnhanced (it’s iOS only and on github). gotta build it yourself with your own decrypted youtube IPA. haven’t seen an ad in years because of it. it also includes sponsorblock and free downloads

due to apple’s stupid side loading policies, you gotta sideload this through a service like AltStore or Sideloadly so you can actually launch the app. i personally recommend sideloadly because they allow 1 more app to be signed than altstore, and they let you enable file permissions for apps you download

https://github.com/arichornloverALT/uYouEnhanced

Waiting for phone manufacturers to integrate physical camera covers like on new laptops.

This is not how iPhone camera access works. The only way this would be possible would be for Google to be exploiting some permissions bug. Doing so would be cause for the developer account to be banned.

Makes sense. This is what happens when you use malware.

I bet you have given access before and accidentally touched the plus button in the tab bar at strange timing.

I hope this is the awakening you need to get rid of Apple devices, as well as all crappy spy devices, and use a privacy friendly setup such as GrapheneOS.