Comment on Hundreds of smartphone apps are monitoring users through their microphones
Korne127@lemmy.world 2 months ago
But… they can’t access the microphone without the user explicitly allowing
Comment on Hundreds of smartphone apps are monitoring users through their microphones
Korne127@lemmy.world 2 months ago
But… they can’t access the microphone without the user explicitly allowing
Arcane2077@sh.itjust.works 2 months ago
Only on iOS
pHr34kY@lemmy.world 2 months 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 2 months 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.
prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 months 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.
BossDj@lemm.ee 2 months ago
What happens when you answer the phone?
prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 months 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.
stebator@lemmy.world 2 months 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…