A software update fixing the bug is expected to be released this week.
Apple is scheduled to release a software update within the next few days after users reported being able to listen in on a person’s conversation even if the person didn’t answer their phone.
The bug was discovered in the FaceTime application, which allows users to call friends with either just their voices or through a video. When a FaceTime call was initiated with another user, if the caller added their phone number as an additional caller, a group FaceTime call was created.
Even if the person on the other end of the line didn’t pick up the call, the caller was able to hear the recipient talking, according to 9to5Mac. On the caller’s screen, it would appear as if the recipient joined the group phone call, but on the recipient’s phone, it was still ringing. Newsweek reached out to Apple but did not receive a response in time for publication.
Aside from audio, 9to5Mac discovered video was also able to be transmitted. If, while the call was coming through, the recipient pressed the power button from the lock screen, a video feed was unknowingly sent to the caller.
9to5Mac confirmed the bug worked with an iPhone X calling an iPhone XR but said it’s believed to be possible with all iOS devices that have iOS 12.
