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Yes, optionally. For some Japanese versions of mirrorless cameras, there is a forced sound even in silent modes.

Is that because of the camera voyeurism issues?

exactly. same reason why phones sold in japan don't have an option to disable the camera sound.

Ok, so record a video instead, then pick the desired frame later.

If we heard a sound every time Google voyeured their users ...

Interesting, do they produce the sound through a speaker, or do they use some other mechanism?