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Apple to Fix Major FaceTime Bug That Lets People Covertly Hear Your Audio and See Your Video 'Later This Week' [Updated]
Apple is planning to address a major FaceTime bug that allows anyone who FaceTimes you see the audio and video from your iPhone or iPad even if you don't answer the call.
In a statement made to Axios, Apple said it was aware of the issue and has identified a fix that will be "released in a software update later this week."
It's not clear when "later this week" is, but Apple will presumably address the bug as quickly as possible because it us a huge privacy violation. While it was originally thought that it only allowed someone who called to hear your FaceTime audio, pressing the power button on a device also allows video to be seen.
These FaceTime calls can be made covertly and are super easy to initiate, requiring only a few steps as outlined in our original post on the subject.
All you need to do is initiate a FaceTime call and add your own number to it while it's ringing, forcing a connection with another person. There is no way to stop someone from using FaceTime this way other than disabling FaceTime on your devices.
Update: Apple appears to have temporarily addressed the issue by disabling Group FaceTime calls server side. On Apple's System Status page, Group FaceTime is now listed as unavailable.
In a statement made to Axios, Apple said it was aware of the issue and has identified a fix that will be "released in a software update later this week."
It's not clear when "later this week" is, but Apple will presumably address the bug as quickly as possible because it us a huge privacy violation. While it was originally thought that it only allowed someone who called to hear your FaceTime audio, pressing the power button on a device also allows video to be seen.
These FaceTime calls can be made covertly and are super easy to initiate, requiring only a few steps as outlined in our original post on the subject.
All you need to do is initiate a FaceTime call and add your own number to it while it's ringing, forcing a connection with another person. There is no way to stop someone from using FaceTime this way other than disabling FaceTime on your devices.
Update: Apple appears to have temporarily addressed the issue by disabling Group FaceTime calls server side. On Apple's System Status page, Group FaceTime is now listed as unavailable.
Tags: FaceTime, FaceTime Listening Bug
[ 53 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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3 weeks ago
Hm. Craig or Tim? Will any Apple exec take the blame this time?
Or, you seem to be missing the fact that Apple is acknowledging the glitch and is readily making adjustments to correct it. It’s not always about placing blame, it’s about acknowledging the glitch, moving forward to a resolution and protecting the consumer as quickly as possible to fix the issue.
3 weeks ago
This needs to be thoroughly investigated, why are you able to have access to someone's mic/camera without them even answering to begin with? I'm really concerned about how long this bug has been out but not widely known or reported on. This is easily the worst bug I've ever seen in 12 years of using Apple products and I would not be surprised if they're sued for this.
3 weeks ago
Or, you seem to be missing the fact that Apple is acknowledging the glitch and is readily making adjustments to correct it. It’s not always about placing blame, it’s about acknowledging the glitch, moving forward to a resolution and protecting the consumer as quickly as possible to fix the issue.
Nah, that’s just a communications technique to look active after not being active enough in the first place.
Don’t let the spokesman distract you from looking at the person responsible.
3 weeks ago
Hm, any Apple exec available on Facetime? A peek into the war room might be fun right now.
3 weeks ago
Hm. Craig or Tim? Will any Apple exec take the blame this time?
They'll point finger at Scott Forstall again.
3 weeks ago
Seeing as how it requires you to add a caller - a feature that only exists in Group FaceTime, a product that was delayed until 12.1 due to bugs - probably not very long at all.
I just checked and that was released on Oct 30. That's way too long for a bug this serious to go unaddressed.
3 weeks ago
Facetime turned off. A lot of **** passed the beta test unnoticed lately and now this. What a terrible company Apple is becoming
3 weeks ago
I did this to my friends several times just today. and one did not have their phone nearby, the call went on for close to an hour. I could listen to his phone till he declines the call.
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