Monday, January 28, 2019

Security flaw allows iPhone users to drop-in on contacts via FaceTime

iPhone XR

In what could go down as one of the most significant security flaws in Apple’s history, a new software bug has been uncovered allowing users to listen to contacts via Apple’s FaceTime video service.

The glitch lets users contact someone via FaceTime and then automatically hear the other person before the call is picked up.

The issue, which has been reported by Bloomberg as well as 9to5Mac, seems to only occur with Group FaceTime calls and also requires somewhat specific circumstances. Bloomberg reports that users need to launch a conference call, input their phone number and then add the number of an additional person.

As far as security flaws go, this one is particularly serious, especially given the emphasis Apple places on privacy when it comes to its devices and operating systems. As a result of the bug, it’s actually possible to listen to an ongoing FaceTime conversation without the person on the other end knowing you can hear them.

Examples of various people confirming the issue are widely available on social media, including tweets from notable tech reporters. The release of Apple’s Group FaceTime calling feature was delayed a number of months due to software bugs.

In a statement to BuzzFeed News, a representative from Apple said that the company is “aware of this issue and we have identified a fix that will be released in a software update later this week.”

It’s likely that the update will be included in the public version of iOS 12.2, the same version of Apple’s operating system that it set to bring Apple News to Canadian iPhone user.

Source: Bloomberg, 9to5Mac, BuzzFeed News 

The post Security flaw allows iPhone users to drop-in on contacts via FaceTime appeared first on MobileSyrup.



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