New feature lets iPhone users see when an app is spying on them

Are you worried that your smartphone could be spying on you?

Whether it’s tracking you for data collection and product placement or something even more nefarious, there have been enough headlines in recent years about phones recording the actions of unsuspecting users to give even those who aren’t normally conspiracy-minded some serious pause.

However, Apple has recently rolled out a new feature for iPhones that will alert people to the fact when they are on camera or their microphone is being used. Unfortunately, a lot of users aren’t aware of the feature.

With the latest iOS 14 update, a small green dot will appear in the upper right corner of the iPhone screen any time an app is actively using the camera. When the microphone is activated for whatever reason, a small orange dot will appear in the same place.

In addition, Apple says that users can go into their Control Center to see if an app has used the camera or microphone recently, which is something everyone should be checking on regularly. If an app is accessing your microphone or camera needlessly, you should consider deleting it and finding a better alternative.

There has been significant public outcry recently over apps that spy on users, many of which seem to come from China, and those that deliver ads based on a person’s vicinity to a store.

When a person downloads a new app, the prospect of it accessing a phone’s audio and video features is often hidden in the fine print of permissions or undisclosed entirely. This has led many people to wonder if and when their phone’s camera is being accessed without their knowledge, especially during private moments. Thanks to the Apple update, users can now disable apps’ ability to access these features entirely.

Apple acknowledged the need for better privacy measures with the rollout of the feature, commenting: “Privacy is a fundamental human right and at the core of everything we do. That’s why with iOS 14, we’re giving you more control over the data you share and more transparency into how it’s used.”

Does Facebook listen to users’ conversations?

Apple may have earned some public goodwill by introducing its new features, but Facebook is still widely suspected of snooping on users. Many Facebook users have said that they talked about something out loud and then were shown related ads in the app shortly thereafter. This is even true for those who have never searched for content related to the ad before, leaving snooping the only logical explanation.

Facebook hasn’t denied it, saying in a statement: “We only access your microphone if you have given our app permission and if you are actively using a specific feature that requires audio.”

That may be true, but it makes you wonder just how many of their non-tech-savvy users have any idea that they gave Facebook permission to do this in the first place. And while this is far from the only reason to avoid Facebook entirely, it should be enough for even those who are not bothered by their censorship and political stance to give up the social media platform for good in favor of safer alternatives like Brighteon.social.

Apple’s new feature may give you some peace of mind, but it’s only a matter of time before those with bad intentions figure out how to turn off that indicator light remotely. While you should definitely look out for that light when you’re using your phone, many users are still covering their microphone and camera with electrical tape or a privacy case that blocks lenses until they are needed to be on the safe side.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

CNet.com