There has been a bug discovered in the iOS devices which is seriously compromising the privacy and the internet is going crazy over it. Apple has always been people’s number one choice for a reliable and secure eco-system but in recent years there have been quite a few problems with the iOS devices like charging gate, bending gate, battery gate etc
Recently a number of people have reported about a bug present in Apple’s FaceTime which lets a person call anyone with FaceTime and allows them to hear the audio of the receiver before the call is answered. This poses real privacy as one can listen in on any iOS user without them even knowing as the UI shows the ringing normally on the other end.
This problem was first found by a teenager in Arizona who was inviting his friends for an online multiplayer gaming session when he uncovered a bug that could turn iPhones into eavesdropping devices. The teenager’s mom, Michele Thompson tried addressing the problem to Apple by emailing, calling and even tweeting at CEO Tim Cook.
There was no response so she even faxed a letter on her law firm’s letterhead. According to the attorney in Tucson, Arizona, she wanted the bug to be fixed ASAP before it goes “into the wrong hands.”
She then decided to post the issue publicly on Facebook and Twitter, “My teen found a major security flaw in Apple’s new iOS. He can listen in to your iPhone/iPad without your approval. I have video. Submitted bug report to @AppleSupport…waiting to hear back to provide details. Scary stuff! ”
My teen found a major security flaw in Apple’s new iOS. He can listen in to your iPhone/iPad without your approval. I have video. Submitted bug report to @AppleSupport…waiting to hear back to provide details. Scary stuff! #apple #bugreport @foxnews
— Michele Thompson ☀️ (@MicheleT_inAZ) January 21, 2019
Michele Thompson then also sent a video showing the bug to a representative in Apple’s Product Security department. There was still no response by Apple before the bug’s discovery blew up on social media.
Apple then reached out for a comment, their spokesperson said “We’re aware of this issue and we have identified a fix that will be released in a software update later this week. This shows that Apple’s behavior about the problem was very unprofessional especially considering how much they emphasize on security and privacy.
We have also found that the damage here gets even worse if the receiver presses the power button to ignore the call. This results in their video being also sent to the caller and from their perspective, they still see accept and decline the option.
9To5Mac replicated with an iPhone calling a Mac. By default, the Mac rings for longer than a phone so it can act as a bug for an even longer duration. Apple has confirmed that they will be releasing a software update later this week which will fix the problem. In the meantime, all you can do is disable FaceTime by going into iOS settings to stay on the safe side.