iPhone 4 taking covert pictures?

Some users of the iPhone 4 are reporting pictures of themselves, that they didn't take, popping up when initiating a FaceTime (video) call.

...brought up photos of both of us at work, where I have used FaceTime a few times but he never has. We're just wondering how/why this is happening, and if there is a fix. It's not terribly inconvenient, but it's definitely unsettling, where is seems that even if we haven't taken a picture or used FaceTime, the camera is keeping images.

Topic : FaceTime shows random, old pictures when initiating a call

Now consider this in the setting of excess data charges by AT&T.

Hendricks' lawyers state that AT&T may be creating phantom traffic to iPhones, which they explain by describing their iPhone test account. They used an iPhone, deactivated all apps and left it idle for 10 days. AT&T still billed 2292 KB of data usage.

AT&T May have Inflated iPhone Data Bills

There has been much talk of computer webcams being capable of remote activation and the need to cover or otherwise inactivate the built-in devices.

Could this device be taking pictures of users covertly and sending it to someone who may be interested?

Not good.

Nothing to see here folks. Big Brother is just an imaginary creation of George Orwell. Corporations love all of you and deeply care about you and your kids' safety and health.
*****shapeshifts****


[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/1c661fec8117.jpg[/atsimg]
"Yesssssss, nothing to sssssssee here. Enjoy your i-phonessssss."

reply to post by AlphaTier



Yes, this is entirely possible, and more. The things they could do to get information from you are unbelievable. And you don't even know it's being done. I don't know why anyone might want pics of you, but hey, never know.

As we all know AT&T is in cahoots with a certain government agency, of which a member was recently hired by Apple.

Apple Hires NSA Pro David Rice as Security Boss

reply to post by wtbengineer

I don't know why anyone might want pics of you, but hey, never know.

Maybe not you specifically, but think if a daily image of every phone was uploaded to a database and processed with image recognition software. You would know where everyone is at all times, find criminals that are hiding from authorities, keep tabs on suspected terrorists, etc.

If the technology available was used in that way it would be a massive spying op.

Originally posted by AlphaTier
Could this device be taking pictures of users covertly and sending it to someone who may be interested?

This has always been my major issue with smart phones, especially ones that are heavily proprietary based such as apple.

Applications like this could easily run without any way for the user to know, and thats just video, remember theres also a fairly good mic on there as well, and with a GPS module, its an all in one self surveillance package!!

Im surpirsed its taken this long for people to catch onto this, since it has been at least a year since all manufacturers started putting "ON" Leds on webcams mainly because of the growing instances of malicious software turning them on, same again if you have a mic connected. (An analogue mic connected to a PC is ALWAYS capturing audio, mine for example right now will be getting every key press sound even though I have no apps running that are using it)

Do a quick google search and you'll find plenty of people that have recovered stolen laptops using this very method. (Again this is irrelevant if it has been "built in", that would mean it is a core function of the phone and would take no effort what so ever (with the right access))

But then, why would be the utlimate question, I can see the govt doing it, but I wouldnt imagine the would just capture people at random for no reason, there would be more chan ce of giving the game away.

(Also, this happens as you start a video call app? Is it not just the camera turning on?)

The solution is pretty simple. Don't buy smart phones. Use ground based ones. It'll be less em rad in the air and you will be saving many jobs related to telephones and LINES made to insure communications...

Also, on the side, you prevent being followed, monitored and taped by whoever wants to do it to you. With TPTB being first in line...

reply to post by AlphaTier


I posted a thread on Apples 'Traitorware' last year...
Here: Apple 'traitorware' can take your photo and shut down your jailbroken iPhone, iPad.

Check it out!

IRM

I have had this happen to me on my laptop! I have a mac book pro and when the camera is on there is a green light that appears at the top of the screen. The light started to come on for a second and then turn off. It started to get almost predictable. The strange part is that it seemed to happen every time I came to ATS! Although it has happened while viewing other sites. I started to get paranoid so I stuck a piece of electrical tape over the dam thing. Now it has not happened for a while but the op brought the memory back.

reply to post by InfaRedMan


That is huge. Thanks for the link.

What's so disconcerting to me is that evidence of Orwellian surveillance is so widespread and commonplace that society at large has generally accepted it without discourse.

Wow! This is very strange, indeed. I just read some of the responses on the thread you linked to and it seems everyone is having this problem. Not to mention the accusation that AT&T is purposefully feeding data to these phones in order to charge people more for their data plans based on their new (and utterly ridiculous) tiered fee system. I had a feeling this would happen. That is all aside from the fact that users can barely control how much usage they accrue because apps are always running in the background whether you want them to or not.

reply to post by NowanKenubi


IMO, that is not a solution. We shouldn't have to steer clear of these technologies because the government might use them to track us. The government just shouldn't be doing it. Anything else is ignoring the problem or enabling it.

reply to post by S3ns1bl3


Apparently starting a video call is the only way to elicit this glitch in the matrix. Indeed it is an ideal surveillance device with GPS, audio, front and rear facing cameras, and a nonremovable battery. I suppose one defense, short of avoiding it all together would be to pull the SIM. No such luck with the Verizon version.

Importantly this is the first evidence that I'm aware of that images are actually being stored without user intervention, as opposed to camera LED activation.

I think is a good idea was a few crooks have been caught and located using
phones and laptops that the victims found on web pages that gave out such
information when they activated their iPhone or Laptop.

Who in the world wants to know where any of us on ATS are.
Well Bubble got robbed while he was getting married.
Guess you never know who has your interest.

reply to post by boncho


What I mean is they don't need a picture of you to do all that crap and more.

reply to post by TeslaandLyne


I agree, this tech is invaluable for recovering stolen or lost devices. I'd even be fine with covert surveillance in justified cases.

Obviously, and I'm writing from a U.S. Perspective, what fundamentally isn't acceptable nor lawful is surveillance, i.e. search, without probable cause. The mindset that this is ok because nobody has reason to be interested in "me" is what leads to this gradual sloughing of our rights and eventual indifference.

Many constitutional rights are not specifically applicable to me, but this in no way leads to my acceptance of the violation of others'.

reply to post by AlphaTier


And in any case similar to MK ULTRA cases the ones caught will not be punished
because they have immunity. Or they won't be caught.

The design of equipment must meet all kinds of laws, the start was energy star to
shut off monitors. Now air conditioners don't stay on long enough to cool anyone
in a hurry perhaps to save a life. The agents that post hoax A bomb explosions
and alien presence and UFOs and energy devices are out to find WINNERS that
will support their ruse and start a new CIA project giving them more money.

Does the Zodiac Killer fit in even though never caught or investigators told don't go
there as too many have Navy issued footwear was one excuse I heard on one of those
TV specials. Sure a coding expert and Navy ports nearby just means drop the case.

Maybe check this out!!
It seems fairly easy to spy on some ones smartphone.

You can find the facts about what people are saying on their mobile phones and who they really are speaking with. Trace a Mobile, Track GPS Location; and find out what is in SMS texts and e-mail; know web-sites they visit; and a lot more.

With Spy Phone Software you can also cell phone tap to listen to mobile phone calls and spy call change the cellphone into a covert bugging phone.

SOURCE

Check out the DEMO

The user login on this page is for demonstration purposes only. You use it to login and see an example of how to view cell phone spying results with our program. As you will see by logging into the control panel above, our features and functionality can't be beat. If you need to monitor a child or employee, this program's for you. Mobile Spy Uses...

It doesn't matter if the user tries to delete their tracks by deleting their call logs or SMS logs. This flexible spy software records the activities instantly after they happen and stores them to a small hidden file on the phone. The file is then uploaded every ten minutes (adjustable) which inserts the associated results to your account.

Check out the DEMO

Originally posted by JibbyJedi
Nothing to see here folks. Big Brother is just an imaginary creation of George Orwell. Corporations love all of you and deeply care about you and your kids' safety and health.
*****shapeshifts****


[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/1c661fec8117.jpg[/atsimg]
"Yesssssss, nothing to sssssssee here. Enjoy your i-phonessssss."

"Zhhhhgggghooooo" - You gave us the right, to do everything we want with you data by accepting the general terms and conditions .