Apple has pledged to resolve a bug that allows iPhone users to eavesdrop on people they are calling – even if they do not pick up the phone.
The tech giant said it will release a software patch to deal with the bug later this week.
The bug allows people using the FaceTime video calling feature to hear audio from the recipient's device – before they have answered the call.
It appears to rely on Apple's group video calling feature.
The company this morning confirmed that it has now temporarily disabled the Group FaceTime feature as it works to fix the issue.
Talking about the #FaceTime bug @PatKennyNT on @NewstalkFM later this morning.
If you're concerned and want to disable FaceTime until the fix is released:
Open Settings
Choose FaceTime
Toggle the button so that FaceTime is off pic.twitter.com/p1yxDkb28a— Jess Kelly 👩ðŸ»ðŸ’» (@jesskellynt) January 29, 2019
According to the Verge, the glitch takes place when you start a FaceTime call and add your own phone number to the call before the recipient answers.
FaceTime appears to assume an active conference call is taking place and starts sending the audio of the person being called without them having to pick up.
The website also noted the recipient's camera could also be viewed if they press the power or volume button to try and ignore the call.
Apple announced its group calling feature last year - but later removed it from early test versions of its iOS 12 operating system.
Group video calling was later released to the public in October.
The company said it was made temporarily unavailable due to an ongoing issue.
An Apple spokesperson said: "We're aware of this issue and we have identified a fix that will be released in a software update later this week."
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey was among those warning iPhone users about the bug. He tweeted: "Disable FaceTime for now until Apple fixes."
Disable FaceTime for now until Apple fixes https://t.co/FNbPAmZsLf
— jack (@jack) January 29, 2019
