If you value your privacy, you should seriously consider turning off FaceTime on your iPhone or iPad. As detailed, a serious FaceTime bug allows an incoming caller to hear your even if you don’t pick up the call. Worse, they can even gain access to your video feed.
Apple has already acknowledged this serious issue and confirmed that it will roll out a software update in a few days to fix it. Given how serious the bug is, I expect Apple to roll out an update within the next 24-36 hours. However, even until then, having FaceTime enabled on your iPhone or iPad poses a serious privacy risk.
This is why you should consider disabling it until Apple gets around to rolling out the software update with the recommended fix.
Apple does seem to have temporarily disabled FaceTime due to the serious privacy risk it poses, though that should not stop you from turning off the service on your device as well.
Apple killed FaceTime conferencing server side it seems. Right move. pic.twitter.com/H23W2tirgr
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) January 29, 2019
How to Turn Off FaceTime on iPhone or iPad
Step 1: On your iPhone or iPad, head over to Settings -> FaceTime.
Step 2: Simply toggle off the FaceTime option to disable it.
You can always enable FaceTime again once Apple has rolled out an update with the necessary fix.
How to Turn Off FaceTime on Mac
The FaceTime bug also affects macOS so you will need to turn off FaceTime on your Mac as well.
Step 1: Open the FaceTime app on your Mac.
Step 2: You can then use the shortcut (Command + K) to toggle FaceTime off. Alternatively, from the menu bar, click FaceTime and select the Turn FaceTime Off option.
