Apple Fixes FaceTime Privacy Bug & Pays 14‑Year‑Old Teen
In a rare moment of transparency, Apple rolled out a software update for iPhones to correct a FaceTime flaw that let users eavesdrop on people before they even answered the call. The culprit? A sharp‑witted Tucson teen named Grant Thompson, who, along with his mom Michele, prompted the tech giant to pause group chats while it sorted the issue.
The Bug and the Teen Who Uncovered It
- Problem: Pre‑answer audio could be heard in FaceTime group chats.
- Discovery: Grant, 14, noticed the glitch during a family call.
- Reaction: He and his mom reported it, causing Apple to shut down the feature temporarily.
- Bonus: Apple also accredited another Texas youngster, Daven Morris, in the update’s release notes.
Apple’s Response and Compensation
Apple didn’t just slap a patch in place; it pulled the plug on the problematic feature, ran a thorough security audit on FaceTime, and tightened both the app and the server side. The company has pledged:
- Financial support for Grant’s household.
- An extra gift toward his education.
- Public acknowledgment of his contribution in the software update notes.
Political Pressure & Future Plans
Two Democratic members of the House were alarmed by the delay in addressing the flaw and asked CEO Tim Cook to weigh in. Apple said it’s on track to streamline how it handles bug reports moving forward.
