A serious FaceTime bug allows users to call somebody via FaceTime and listen to their phone’s microphone regardless of whether the person picks up the call.
Bad news for Apple, but even worst news for you if you decide to not pick up on someone’s FaceTime. You can call somebody via FaceTime and listen to their phone’s microphone regardless of whether the person you’re calling picks up.
After multiple people tested out the issue, an Apple spokesperson said they’ve identified a fix that will be “released in a software update later this week.”
So if you see your iPhone ringing with a FaceTime video call, the person calling you could listen to your microphone before you’ve picked up. The bug requires you have an OS that supports Group FaceTime to work.
How Does It FaceTime Bug Works
- Start a FaceTime video call.
- While it’s still ringing, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and click “Add Person.”
- Add your own phone number to the call. You’ll now be able to hear the microphone from the other device, even if the owner is nowhere nearby.
- You’ll now be able to hear the microphone from the other device, even if the owner is nowhere nearby.
I don’t know about you, but I’m disabling FaceTime on my Mac and iPhone until this is resolved. Settings > FaceTime > Off If you have an apple device do this IMMEDIATELY.
See below Twitter reactions once this FaceTimem bug was discovered:
https://twitter.com/MacJordaN/status/1090185883037294592
Major FaceTime bug lets anyone eavesdrop on your conversations even if you don't answer. #FaceTime #bug pic.twitter.com/cV1uKHW3pJ
— Yalu Jailbreak (@Yalujb) January 29, 2019
Serious #FaceTime bug allows you to listen remotely before anyone answers — Apple to fix ‘later this week’ https://t.co/IbvoyCMPZO #FacetimeBug #Tech #TechNews pic.twitter.com/pz1vPzmqyq
— Chris (@chrismogorman) January 31, 2019
Upon learning about the eavesdropping #security flaw in #FaceTime, we are deactivating the app as a precaution inside our company and recommend you do the same until the problem is fixed. https://t.co/2asYRY5W3b via @wsj pic.twitter.com/XSuN2tZdmY
— Pinkerton (@Pinkerton) January 31, 2019
Update from Apple
So: @Apple has now disabled Group #Facetime https://t.co/iFXQStsbQh and, unexpectedly, @NYGovCuomo put out a release urging New Yorkers to disable it until it’s fixed & *explained how*.
2019 is both weirder & more mundane than I expected back in 1989. pic.twitter.com/4dYV9rQw5E
— Alex Howard (@digiphile) January 29, 2019
