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A particularly serious bug in the current iOS version has paralyzed group FaceTime.
A serious error recently crept into Facetime for groups. The bug makes it possible to use Facetime to tap into the microphone of another caller. To use the bug, a contact must be called via Facetime - assuming the caller does not answer immediately. While the cell phone is ringing, the caller must add another contact. Here, their own phone number is entered. Once this is done, the microphone starts transmitting - while the called person's phone continues to ring. The error only occurred on devices that support Group Facetime.
To prevent further abuse, Apple deactivated the group FaceTime function on the server side on Monday. The statement stated that Cupertino had already found a solution and planned to fix it with a software update later this week.
Apple makes another statement
As a result, the iOS 12.1.4 update will not be released until next week. The statement indicates that the error has already been fixed on the server side. The update would ensure that the service is restored on compatible devices. Unfortunately, the software update cannot be released this week - according to Apple. In addition to the statement, Apple publicly thanked the Thompson family for the tip-off and once again apologized to all users for the inconvenience.
It remains to be seen whether the update will fix other bugs in versions iOS 12.1.2 and iOS 12.1.3 – both statements only referred to the Facetime problem.
