Author: Stephen Johnson / Source: Big Think
- A FaceTime bug enabled iOS users to access the microphones and cameras on the phones of people they tried to call, even when those people didn’t answer.
- Apple has temporarily disabled parts of its services to make such eavesdropping impossible.
- In general, iOS tends to be the most secure of the popular mobile operating systems, but the recently discovered bug shows all systems have vulnerabilities.
A recently discovered bug in Apple FaceTime made it possible for users to hear live audio and video coming from the phone of the person they’re calling — even if the recipient didn’t answer the call.
An Apple spokesperson said the company is “aware of this issue and we have identified a fix that will be released in a software update later this week.” The flaw was reportedly discovered by a 14-year-old and his mom on January 20. In a video posted to Twitter, the two explain and demonstrate the bug.
VIDEO: Here is a video, recorded & sent to Apple by a 14 yr old & his mom, on JAN 23rd, alerting them to the danger… https://t.co/JzxTR2pBol
— John H. Meyer (@BEASTMODE)
Others have also replicated the bug.
The blog 9to5mac explained how it was possible to test the bug on any device running iOS 12.1 or later:
- Start a FaceTime Video call with an iPhone contact.
- Whilst the call is dialling, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and tap Add Person.
- Add…
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