Technological advancements have improved our lives a lot. We’re able to access rare information no matter where we are. We can communicate with our friends and family as if they’re sitting next to us, although they’re thousands of kilometres away. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
However, like everything else in the world, technology has its dark side. We got a glimpse of it during Mark Zuckerberg’s hearing regarding Facebook’s data mining. And even before that, we were warned by Edward Snowden about how everyone’s being monitored constantly by the NSA.
Now, according to 9to5Mac, a similar instance has come to light where a bug lets people call anyone on FaceTime, and watch them even if that person hasn’t picked up the call.
Now you can answer for yourself on FaceTime even if they don’t answer🤒#Apple explain this.. pic.twitter.com/gr8llRKZxJ
— Benji Mobbâ„¢ (@BmManski) January 28, 2019
There’s no complicated process involved here to activate the bug. You FaceTime call the person and then start a group call by adding your number into it. But even though the screen will show that person you’re calling has joined the call, they haven’t actually. In addition to that, if a person presses the Power button (to ignore the call), their video will be sent to the caller anyway. And, although I’m no expert, this seems like a major breach of privacy.
Many iPhone users are experiencing this problem and have shared how they discovered this FaceTime bug.
This is not good — FaceTime call any iPhone and hear their microphone instantly, without their consent. https://t.co/nfEqWbxAHE
— Benjamin Mayo (@bzamayo) January 28, 2019
I don't know about you, but I'm disabling FaceTime on my Mac and iPhone until this is resolved.
— Andy Baio (@waxpancake) January 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/backlon/status/1090049242809286656
Some netizens were kind enough to give advice on how to avoid getting snooped upon.
https://twitter.com/robotodd/status/1090061036256968705
https://twitter.com/MikeIsaac/status/1090088472407207938
Settings > FaceTime > Off
If you have an apple device do this IMMEDIATELY. https://t.co/KYQVQhS7ui
— Mitch Dyer (@MitchyD) January 29, 2019
However, many others panicked out of the fear that their secrets can get out via FaceTime.
this is a NIGHTMARE https://t.co/wSxU2fESE9
— austin walker (@austin_walker) January 29, 2019
Person with iPhone: *incoming facetime*
Me: i’m not going to answer i don’t feel like talking
Person with iPhone: hello…?
Me: HELLLLOOO!???????? pic.twitter.com/cbdD3myqvb
— miah (@XoMiahhh) January 29, 2019
The FaceTime bug definitely proves that your phone can be used as a remote listening device "without any authentication".
— MARCUS J. CAREY (@marcusjcarey) January 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/robotodd/status/1090061527980359685
The Facetime bug works in both iOS and MacOS, so now would be a good time to disable Facetime on everything and then pour out a 40 for the Apple security team.
— Eva (@evacide) January 29, 2019
This is definitey not good for cheaters 😠#Apple https://t.co/V7rxs0tl1m
— LeaveMeAlone♊ (@616Sd) January 29, 2019
Reportedly, Apple has identified the issue and will be fixing it through a software update later in the week. Abb jo baatein nikal gayi hai, woh toh nikal gayi hai. But if you don’t want any more eavesdropping, then disable FaceTime in iOS settings, until further notice.