Privacy

FaceTime Bug Shows Random Pictures, Raises Privacy Concerns

Guest Author ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

A topic over at Apple's Discussion Forums has a few users reporting an unusual glitch with the FaceTime app on their iPhone 4 handsets. iPhone 4 users are reporting that when using FaceTime, the screen shows a random picture frozen on the screen.

It seems several iPhone 4 owners are experiencing this FaceTime glitch, which is increasing privacy concerns among the community. According to several users, the camera seems to be keeping random images that have not been taken before and don’t seem to originate from past FaceTime calls.

Apple Finally Approves TrapCall App After 201 Days

Guest Author ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Apple's App Store approval process has been known to be a very long and hard process for iOS app developers. Although Apple had loosened app approval process back in September of 2010, it seems that certain apps are still taking a good amount of time in limbo before receiving the green light.

One such application happens to be the TrapCall app by Tel Tech Systems Inc. The app went officially live today after 201 days (almost 7 months) in review by Apple.

TrapCall puts an end to those annoying blocked and private calls, claiming to be the first and only service to unmask blocked calls.

Firewall iP 2.0 Released in Cydia, A Security Center for the iPhone

Alex Heath ∙ February 17, 2011

Privacy on the iPhone has always been an interesting topic. Especially in the jailbreak scene, security precautions are taken very seriously.

Firewall iP recently received a major update in the Cydia store, and it boasts robust security options for your iPhone's network connections. While its features may seem daunting to those of us that aren't security aficionados, it's nice to see that there's a full-featured security suite for jailbreak users...

What’s this little arrow showing up in my iPhone Status Bar?

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated June 3, 2016

Yesterday I got an email from my cousin Jeremy asking me what the little arrow showing up in his iPhone status bar was. Jeremy is not the most knowledgeable guy about the iPhone so I figured that if he didn't know what this arrow is, maybe other people would want to find it as well.

The little arrow sometimes showing up indication that Location Services on your iPhone are currently active. According to Apple, "Location Services allows applications such as Maps, Camera, and Compass to use information from cellular, Wi-Fi, and Global Positioning System (GPS) networks to determine your approximate location. This information is collected anonymously and in a form that does not personally identify you."

Status Updates Hidden from Live Feed and Missing Privacy Settings in Facebook App

Alex Heath ∙ Updated November 12, 2019

A couple Facebook for iPhone bugs have been reported by disgruntled Facebook users. Two known problems have recently started surfacing within Facebook's official app: status updates from the iPhone are not being sent to the News Feed, and Facebook for iPhone is missing from users' privacy settings.

We have no information as to how widespread these problems are, but there has been enough complaint to justify these bugs as real issues.

Here are the details...

Apple Sued Amidst Privacy Concerns Regarding App Tracking

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

A little over a week ago, we reported on a Wall Street Journal article that revealed an eye-opening investigation into how apps share your personal data; without your consent.

Needless to say it was bit shocking to us, our readers, and apparently a lot of other people concerned over their personal privacy, or lack thereof.

Now the fallout from the privacy scandal is beginning to rear its head, and it ain't pretty...

How An iPhone App Can See Your Location Without Asking

Alex Heath ∙ Updated February 16, 2018

Lately, there have been some serious privacy concerns about how apps are tracking user's location and personal information. The Wall Street Journal performed a survey of multiple, various applications on both Android and iOS and discovered that many apps are sending information (like the device's location) without explicit permission from the user.

In particular, an app called "Pumpkin Maker" traced the general location of a device without requesting any type of permission from its user. The Journal contacted the app's develepor and gained some valuable knowledge on how, and why, the stealthy tracking of app users is taking place...

Your iPhone Apps Know A Lot About You

Alex Heath ∙ Updated January 17, 2018

The Wall Street Journal has shared the results of an eye-opening investigation on how apps share personal data. Since the success of the App Store, apps have become the backbone of what makes or breaks a successful, mobile device.

The Journal looked into how some apps (both iOS and Android) actually behave with your phone's information, and examined the personal data that most don't know is shared through apps. The results were a little disturbing...

iPhone Fans: Play by the Rules and You Wont Get Wiped [Rant]

Guest Author ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Thank Buddha it's Friday! With the weekend approaching it's also that special day of the week where yours truly vents about a recent story that rubbed me the wrong way. This weeks session is dedicated to a story we reported on regarding Apple's new patent that would enable them to remotely wipe your iPhone. You may be rolling your eyes but hear me out because I think a lot of you will be even more irritated by the spin I apply here...

Cops Find iPhone Data Helpful

Guest Author ∙ Updated March 9, 2016

After being tipped off by my friend Sully, it seems The Sun Times of Chicago had an article that I found to be just as amusing as interesting. The story relates to criminal cases in which iPhones are seized in a search warrant. Apparently our beloved device has more data stored on it that other smartphones, which can be used by investigators to figure out whose telling the truth, but more importantly, who isn't.

Detective Josh Fazio is quoted saying, "When someone tells me they have an iPhone in a case, I say, 'Yeah!' I can do tons with an iPhone,". He's right, sort of. If an iPhone is already seized in a case that already has had a warrant issued, I would hope that there is more valuable evidence recovered that would actually demand said permission.