Comment on Hundreds of smartphone apps are monitoring users through their microphones

Korne127@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago

• Arcane2077@sh.itjust.works ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago

  Only on iOS

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  • pHr34kY@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago

    I can be absolutely certain no apps can access my mic in the background. Even when in the foreground, there is a hot-mic indicator.

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    • BossDj@lemm.ee ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago

      Here’s the misleading part:

      Tap on one of those “while in use” apps. You’ll see there is no option “allowed all the time.” It doesn’t exist.

      “while in use” is top level, and changes to “while using the app” when you actually look at the permission. They really mean when the app is running. And many often run in the background.

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  • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago

    Not only on iOS. I use Android and my microphone is always off unless I allow a specific app to use it, and even then, I have the option of only allowing it for that one time.

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    Mic and camera are always off.

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    • BossDj@lemm.ee ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago

      What happens when you answer the phone?

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      • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago

        A little pop up comes up saying something about “getting the most out of your phone” with the option to turn the mic on for the app that’s requesting it (phone app). Only turns on for the call. Just gotta tap the screen once.

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  • stebator@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago

    Because it is software-based access control, it is impossible to guarantee that access really has been disabled. Thanks to Apple’s design, we now live in a world where users are not supposed to detach batteries or physically turn off microphones and cameras; it’s all software-controlled. The problem is that software can be hacked and have backdoors. Also, thanks to Apple’s smart design, users can no longer upgrade the memory sticks on their Mac Minis and MacBooks. Why do I say it is all Apple’s fault? Unfortunately, other manufacturers copy these design ideas…

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