A system and a method are disclosed for selectively activating access by an application to a camera. In an embodiment, a physical object provider receives a request, from an application installed on a mobile device of a user, for a physical object to be delivered to an address corresponding to the user, wherein access by the application to a camera of the mobile device is de-activated. Responsive to receiving the request, the physical object is caused to be delivered to the address. The physical object provider receives a notification that the physical object has been delivered to the address, and transmits an instruction to the application to activate access by the application to the camera. The physical object provider receives, from the application, an image captured by the camera, and publishes the image to an additional user.