Tag: mic

Now that fall is right around the corner, Apple fans have a lot to look forward to. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, a new iPhone is still on the way — as well as a plethora of new features and software updates in iOS 14, Apple’s upcoming release.

Unlike several previous updates, iOS 14 is emphasizing something that nearly everybody is worried about these days: privacy. Between a feature that alerts you when your mic is in use and options to prevent apps from tracking you, this latest update should be eye-opening for anyone in the dark about data collection. Tap or click here to see what iOS 14 can tell you about your camera.

If you’re curious as to what’s in store for you in iOS 14, you won’t believe all the privacy options you’ll have at your fingertips. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the update’s biggest privacy boosts, as well as what they mean for your data going forward.

With iOS 14, you can kick ad trackers and more to the curb

Apple’s iOS 14 is set to launch this fall, and it’s bringing a boatload of new features and options with it. Rumored to be debuting with the highly-anticipated iPhone 12, the new operating system has been met with positive reception from both the press and beta testers alike. Tap or click here for a sneak preview of iOS 14 from WWDC 2020.

The main reason these testers are happy? Why, it’s all of the privacy options that Apple is giving us, of course. In fact, many early adopters of iOS 14 were stunned to learn just how much data was being collected from them. There was even an incident where a tester found Instagram was turning his camera on without him knowing. Tap or click here to see how it unfolded.

Eager to see what your privacy options are with Apple’s latest update? Here are some of the features that beta testers have had a chance to play around with.

Your iPhone will tell you if your camera or mic is on

Ever worry that your phone picked up something you said? Thanks to 2019’s privacy incident where Apple was caught transcribing audio captured by Siri, this is a real concern to have. Tap or click here to see Apple’s reaction to the news of Siri’s transcriptions.

But now you don’t have to wonder if your iPhone’s microphone is recording you or not thanks to a new feature in iOS 14. When your phone’s microphone is on (or was recently accessed), a small orange dot will appear in the upper-right hand corner of the screen to alert you. But that’s not all — you’ll also see a green dot in the same area if your camera is (or was recently) recording.

Now you’ll be able to know exactly which apps are making use of these critical parts of your phone. If you see apps that shouldn’t be using your camera or microphone doing so, you’ll be able to make the judgment call to delete them.

Targeted advertising is now an opt-in feature

Continue reading →