Major FaceTime Bug Exploits Camera & Mic
Apple has acknowledged a major FaceTime bug which grants access to a recipient’s front camera and microphone before the call is accepted.
Speaking to BuzzFeed News, an Apple spokesperson asserts the company is “aware of the issue” with an “identified fix” to be released via software update later this week.
A video displaying steps to trigger the bug went viral on Twitter, after first being reported by 9to5Mac.
Watch below:
— nic nguyen (@itsnicolenguyen) 29 January 2019
As tested by Buzzfeed, two devices running the latest version of iOS activated a FaceTime recipient’s camera and microphone before the call was picked up.
Apple’s System Status page has marked the affected server running Group FaceTime as “temporary unavailable”.
It appears the iPhone manufacturer has temporarily disabled the feature, pending a software fix.
Several publications such as CNET, have complied a list of security precautions to activate ahead of the software update.