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Home / News / Science News / iPhones can be used for spying on people: Here's how
  • Science

    iPhones can be used for spying on people: Here's how

    Shubham Sharma
    Written by
    Shubham Sharma
    Twitter
    Last updated on Jan 12, 2019, 12:03 pm
    iPhones can be used for spying on people: Here's how
  • Sometimes features introduced for something good can be exploited in unimaginable ways, leading to serious privacy concerns.

    We've seen people freaking out over camera-equipped smart displays, and now, something similar is happening with Apple, thanks to a new iOS 12 feature called 'Live Listen'.

    It has been designed to help people with hearing problems, but can easily be repurposed for spying.

    Here's how.

  • In this article
    What is Live Listen? But, Live Listen can also be used for spying Here's what one said of the feature Now, this raises serious privacy concerns Live Listen only works when AirPods are on Apple has not commented on the matter
  • Feature details

    What is Live Listen?

    What is Live Listen?
  • Live Listen is a tool to help hearing-impaired understand what somebody is saying, especially in a crowded space.

    It uses the microphone of iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to capture and transmit sounds to AirPods, effectively turning the buds into hearing aids.

    "Live Listen can help you hear a conversation in a noisy area or even hear someone speaking across the room," Apple claims.

  • Concern

    But, Live Listen can also be used for spying

    But, Live Listen can also be used for spying
  • Worryingly, the accessibility feature can even be used for spying or eavesdropping on conversations, Twitter users have revealed.

    One can leave their iOS device in a room with two people talking and hear what they're saying by using the AirPods.

    As long as Live Listen stays on and the device rests in the targeted room, the whole conversation would be transmitted to the outsider.

  • Twitter Post

    Here's what one said of the feature

  • If you have AirPods, u can turn on “ listen live” and leave ur phone in the room or anywhere with someone and u can actually hear what they saying, thank me later 🤫 pic.twitter.com/kXTNtlwtKK

    — Isma ⚡️ (@i_mar18) January 10, 2019
  • Issues

    Now, this raises serious privacy concerns

    Now, this raises serious privacy concerns
  • We know Apple developed this feature with good intentions, but its second use raises some serious privacy concerns.

    People, not to mention teens, can easily use the capability to learn about things they should not know or stuff that has been specifically kept from them.

    Even stalkers/thieves can use something like this to dive into the lives, routines of their targets.

  • Information

    Live Listen only works when AirPods are on

  • Originally, Live Listen only worked with made-for-iPhone hearing aids. But, now, as and when AirPods are turned on, the connected iPhone/iPad shows an ear-shaped icon to use the feature. It even allows for adjusting sensitivity and pick up more or less sound.

  • Apple's comment

    Apple has not commented on the matter

    Apple has not commented on the matter
  • So far, Apple has commented on the possible ill-use of its Live Listen feature.

    However, some users are raising alarms over the issue and noting that the feature could create problems for the company.

    Hopefully, the Cupertino-giant will take note of the matter and push an update fixing the issue or maybe reducing its range so that audio doesn't go out of a room.

  • Apple
  • Apple AirPods
  • iPhones
  •  
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