iPhone Facetime Bug Lets Other People Eavesdrop On You—Here’s How To Disable It [VIDEO]
A FaceTime bug lets Apple users listen in on people they're calling, and some may even see the intended call recipient through their front-facing camera without them answering the call.
If this sounds terrifying Apple says they should "release it in a software update later this week." According to CNN, 9to5Mac flagged the bug and it was instantly recreated by Apple users across social media. In a statement released Monday night, Apple says it has identified the fix and Group FaceTime has been disabled for the time being until they release an iOS update.
It should also be noted that FaceTime extends beyond your Apple iPhone. Mac users running macOS Mojave, as well as iPad owners who are running iOS 12.1 are all open to the bug.
When the bug is activated, the person who initiated the call is able to hear the live audio on the other person's phone, even though the recipient has not accepted the call. And their screen gives no indication that their conversation is being transmitted. In some cases, the bug can also show live video of the other person if they press a volume button to dismiss the call.
The way to make sure no one eavesdrop is to disable the function.
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings -> FaceTime, and toggle off the green button at the top of the screen. To turn it off on a Mac, open the FaceTime app and go to FaceTime on top of the screen, then select "Turn FaceTime Off."
Until then, keep an eye out for the update and make sure you're clothed at all times when your phone is around.