Apple FaceTime bug lets you listen in on people you call, even if they haven't picked up...iPhone

cnbc ^ | 01/28/2019 | Todd Haselton

[BenLurkin]

CNBC tested it and verified that it's a real bug. I tried placing a video call to my editor from my iPhone using Apple's FaceTime app. Then, before he picked up, I used the menu option to add somebody else to the call and, as 9to5Mac's directions state, I added myself to the call. Suddenly, I could hear my editor, even though he never picked up. We continued having a conversation while his phone only gave him the option to answer. There was no indication that the call had already gone through.

The Verge reports that, if the person you're calling tries to end it by tapping the power button on their phone, it sends video but no audio. That means the person calling you can see a video of you or your surroundings as if you'd answered the call. I replicated this with a friend.

This bug seems to rely on the FaceTime Group Call feature, since you're trying to add another person to the call. Group FaceTime launched last year.

[Bitman]

Is this a bug, or an undocumented feature provided by off-shore developers? I’m guessing we will never know.

[dayglored]

See also (CNBC): https://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3723671/posts with lots of comments including Swordmaker's Apple ping.

[The Antiyuppie]

“Is this a bug, or an undocumented feature provided by off-shore developers? I’m guessing we will never know.“

It was a feature, until the wrong people discovered it.

[jmcenanly]

I see sign language becoming popular for secure face to face communication.

[TexasGunLover]

I’m no Apple fan, but most likely a defect. It happens in ALL software. With a little over 16k linux redhat’s we maintain, the security patching is never ending... just like with iOS, MacOS, Android, Windows, etc etc.

[jmcenanly]

I was wrong about the sign language , but putting the phone under cover might work.

[Openurmind]

I like the delay in smart phones from when you hit the button to hang it up and when it actually hangs up and cuts the audio. I stay on and listen until it does finally cut it. Caught my adult kids talking crap about me many times because they thought the phone was hung up and I couldn’t hear them. lol

If you are going to dump on who you just got off the phone with, it is a good practice to wait about 10 seconds after you hit the button before you do.

[hanamizu]

Apparently Apple has shut down Group Face Time.

https://www.macrumors.com/2019/01/28/apple-disables-group-facetime-due-to-bug/

[asinclair]

On an iPad, I tried to follow the instructions to disable FaceTime. No control that Mac9to5 had described. Then I found out why: I had never signed in to use FaceTime.

And more than likely I never will.

[bgill]

Your next call should have been to tell them they’re out of the Will.

[petitfour]

😂 There’s a reason cell phones and smart watches and other electronics are not allowed in certain facilities. Your phone is always listening and sending data somewhere.

[Theo]

That explains why I wasn’t able to get this to work.

[trebb]

My thought too - I thought Microsoft had the monopoly on them “undocumented features”...

[Openurmind]

I have thought about hitting them up about what they said that they think I didn’t hear. But It’s working better to just keep score and not tip them off. lol

They are good kids and doing very well for themselves and I know they love me, I don’t take it to heart. They are just quite outspoken sometimes. Like myself... so I understand.

They have their own kids who they will have to deal with as teenagers very soon. They will figure out how it all works soon enough. :)

[butlerweave]

It’s an apple feature

[minnesota_bound]

Just the other day I listen in on some guy named Swordmaker. He was saying how much he likes Microsoft Windows 10 : )