The Alarming iPhone Setting That May Jeopardize Your Privacy While You Sleep
By Kim Komando for Dailymail.com, Updated: 14:49 BST, 3 July 2023
Picture this unsettling scenario: while you peacefully slumber, an intruder in your household picks up your iPhone. Employing a simple trick, they are able to fool your iPhone’s facial recognition system, granting them unrestricted access to your personal texts, photos, videos, social media accounts, banking information, and more. The thought that anyone can unlock your phone without your knowledge while you sleep is truly shocking.
As most iPhone users are aware, Apple’s Face ID feature allows for effortless phone access simply by looking at it. While smartphones are equipped with accessibility features for individuals with visual, auditory, or mobility impairments, a common concern arises – what if someone holds your phone to your face while you’re asleep to gain access?
Apple’s Face ID technology utilizes the TrueDepth camera to capture precise facial data by analyzing thousands of invisible dots. It carefully maps the various contours and wrinkles of your face, storing this data as a unique key to unlock your phone. Face ID adapts seamlessly to changes in appearance, such as wearing makeup, growing facial hair, or even utilizing face masks. In the event of a significant transformation, such as shaving off a beard, Face ID requires confirmation of your identity via your passcode before updating your facial data. This level of innovation extends to the compatibility of Face ID with various accessories like hats, scarves, glasses, contact lenses, and sunglasses. Apple asserts that the likelihood of someone else’s face unlocking your iPhone is only one in a million – reassuring, indeed. However, what about your own face?
A common fear is the possibility of someone exploiting the system by holding your phone up to your face while you’re asleep. Fortunately, these systems do not function when your eyes are closed, alleviating concerns. However, there is a method to bypass this safeguard embedded in your iPhone. Keep reading to learn how to prevent this scenario from happening to you.
Firstly, it is crucial to check your iPhone’s settings. Smartphones offer an array of accessibility features to assist individuals with varying impairments, such as visual, auditory, or mobility-related disabilities. These features allow users to enlarge text displayed on the screen or have the phone audibly dictate the on-screen content. Additionally, AssistiveTouch facilitates phone usage for individuals who struggle to touch the screen or press the physical buttons.
While these accessibility tools are invaluable for those who depend on them, there is a setting that may compromise your security. Face ID also includes an accessibility feature intended to accommodate individuals who are blind or have poor vision. With this setting enabled, you can unlock your phone without the need to open your eyes.
While this feature is vital for certain users, it is not recommended to utilize it if you do not have impaired vision. To access and modify this setting, follow these steps:
1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Face ID & Attention.
2. Ensure that “Require Attention for Face ID” is enabled.
Although this setting is enabled by default, it is essential to perform a quick check as there is a possibility that someone with access to your phone may disable it and gain unauthorized access while you sleep. Taking this precautionary measure is certainly worthwhile.
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