Apple FaceTime Bug Turns Your Phone Into a Spying Device!?
Hello everyone! Today is #DataPrivacyDay, and many corporate leaders, including Tim Cook, shared how much they value customers' privacy. In a recent Tweet, the Apple CEO said this,
However, hours after the Tweet was posted, a FaceTime bug was exposed. The bug allows the caller to listen on the receiver's handset microphone even though it is not answered. Under specific circumstances, the caller might even be able to connect to the receiver's camera and get a live video feed. This is found to be affecting both iOS and MacOS (iPhones, iPads and Macs with FaceTime feature are all affected).
I found a YouTube video from MacRumors which demonstrated the bug,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI2za9p95r0
It is good to note that Apple had quickly disabled the "Group FaceTime" feature which seems to have prevented this bug from being exploited (which can be seen from Apple's service status page). Apple will then release an official software patch to fix the bug later this week. For Apple users who are still paranoid, you can follow the steps in this article to disable FaceTime.
Too Much of a Coincidence?
The bug was exposed on #DataPrivacyDay, hours after Tim Cook's Tweet saying that dangers and consequences on data privacy are real. It seems like a direct mockery on Apple and a huge slap on Tim Cook's face. Coincidentally, this bug is also exposed right before Apple's quarterly earning results release today.
Is this purely a coincidence? Or has someone found this bug way ahead of time and only chose to expose it today? Are there more of such "bugs" waiting to be exposed? We can only wait and see.
At this point I have a little conspiracy theory. What if this isn't simply a bug and is meant to be a "feature" for certain agencies to spy on the general public. That would be quite scary isn't it? Haha..
Conclusion
Apple has been under a lot of pressure lately. A recent warning on this quarter's earnings sent their stocks down by 10% in a day! With many other phone makers rising up with highly competitive products, I see Apple starting to lose their edge. In addition, the recent iPhone releases lacks innovation and breakthrough. With smartphones increasingly being commoditized, any other company's flagship phone is becoming comparable with the iPhone. Only time will tell if Apple is able to turn their enormous cash stockpile into something meaningful.
Thanks for reading! Please share your thoughts on this incident. Are you an Apple user? Have you disabled FaceTime for now? Let me know!
This doesn't surprise me one bit. I think privacy protection is becoming more important for consumers however.
Look how the lack of privacy has made people frustrated with targeted ads. This is where BAT token has come into play. I think we are heading into a future where we can shield ourselves with more privacy, but will have more conveniences and perks if we choose to give up that privacy.
@culgin ,
Privacy risk in reality is always present.
Internet or Apps are mostly the way to infect many devices.
Apples and iPhone nowadays are more competitive in features and disregarding the prize of a mobile.
When it comes to Satisfactory and affordability of the users.... Android will moslty win because they are not just affordable but also had a good specs.
-free to upvotes and follow me @commentator101
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Thanks for the comment. Android has it's fair share of issues though. Haha..
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Wa, scary. The more advance technology is, the more vulnerable we are, and the more we lose our privacy. I guess people who are cynical about technology and are slow in embracing have their reasons to be so.
At the end of the day, we just have to assume that whatever technology gadgets/apps we come in touch with, we leave our 'footprints' behind and if anyone wants to dig them out, they can and are able to do so. So, don't reveal too much private and intimate details and don't have illegal dealings. Or keep your engagement on the net/web/apps to the minimum if you are a shy and private individual. I think if we bear that in mind, we are quite safe to use technology to our advantage.
It does sound too much of a coincidence that the bug was exposed right after Tim's Cook tweet. Seemed like someone was bent on rubbing it in his face. Oh well, who knows....
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