«Breaking News» Apple has disabled its group FaceTime feature

Apple has disabled group FaceTime following the discovery of an embarrassing bug which allowed people to eavesdrop on iPhone users. 

A vulnerability in the software for the video calling facility reportedly let users hear audio and see video of the person they are calling irrespective of if they pick up.  

The company's system status website now lists FaceTime as having an ongoing issue, with a message attached confirming Group FaceTime is 'temporarily unavailable'.

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The glitch affects devices using versions iOS 12.1 or later. Apple has taken its Group FaceTime feature offline following the discovery of the bug (file photo)

The bug is affected devices using versions of iOS 12.1 or later and was first reported by the website 9to5mac.

It was also claimed the calls must be made in a particular way in order to exploit the glitch.

It appears to involve the 'add person' function of the FaceTime app, confusing it into activating the call recipient's microphone even before the call is accepted.

In some cases, 9to5mac reported video from the recipient's device can also be sent before the call is accepted and without the call recipient's knowledge if they press the power button while on their phone's lock screen.

The iPhone maker had earlier said it was 'aware' of the issue and planned to release a software update later this week to fix the problem.

The incident is embarrassing for the technology giant as it was discovered on Data Privacy Day in the United States, which Apple chief executive Tim Cook had tweeted about, calling for 'vital privacy protections'.

The incident is embarrassing for the technology giant as it was discovered on Data Privacy Day in the United States, which Apple chief executive Tim Cook had tweeted about, calling for 'vital privacy protections' (pictured)

Twitter boss Jack Dorsey took to Twitter to lend his advice to users. He suggested disabling the feature until a fix was issued by Apple 

A newly discovered FaceTime bug lets people hear and even see those they are reaching out to on iPhones using the video calling software even if the other person doesn't pick up

Apple has also recently been highlighting its credentials as a company that protects user privacy, using a large billboard overlooking the CES technology trade show in Las Vegas last month to declare 'what happens on your iPhone, stays on your iPhone'.

The incident also comes ahead of Apple releasing its latest round of financial results, with investors bracing for bad news after Mr Cook issued a warning in January over falling iPhone sales in China, which he said would impact the company's revenue.

In the meantime, industry figures including Twitter founder Jack Dorsey have urged users to disable the FaceTime feature as a precautionary measure until Apple fixes the issue.

WHY ARE SALES OF SMARTPHONES IN DECLINE?

According to the latest research by Strategy Analytics, global smartphone shipments were down by 8.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same time last year.

Linda Sui, the firm's director, said that the global smartphone market is 'effectively in recession'.

The main reasons why this could be happening are:

• The industry struggling to come to terms with heavily diminished carrier subsidies 


• Inventory build up in several regions 


• Lack of innovative and exciting hardware design


• Customers going back to basics and buying retro non-smartphones such as the new Nokia range


• People investing in more expensive high-end smartphones and keeping them for longer periods of time, for example what appears to be the case with Apple who are now charging over £700 for their latest devices

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Main photo article Apple has disabled group FaceTime following the discovery of an embarrassing bug which allowed people to eavesdrop on iPhone users. 
A vulnerability in the software for the video calling facility reportedly let users hear audio and see video of the person they are calling irrespective of if they ...

It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.

Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.

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