Apple to contribute to U.S. teen’s education for discovering Group FaceTime eavesdropping bug

“Apple Inc on Thursday rolled out software updates to iPhones to fix a privacy issue in its FaceTime video calling service, and said it would contribute toward the education of the Arizona teenager who discovered the problem,” Reuters reports.
“The software bug, which had let users hear audio from people who had not yet answered a video call, was discovered by a Tucson, Arizona high school student Grant Thompson,” Reuters reports. “The technology giant said it would compensate the Thompson family and make an additional gift toward 14-year-old Grant’s education.”
“‘In addition to addressing the bug that was reported, our team conducted a thorough security audit of the FaceTime service and made additional updates to both the FaceTime app and server to improve security,’ Apple said in a statement,” Reuters reports. “The company said last week it was planning to improve how it handles reports of software bugs.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple did the right thing in compensating Thompson. Maybe a bit over an over compensation due to APple’s admittedly slow reaction to his report, but, whatever, Apple can certainly afford to over compensate.
Update iOS now on all of your devices to restore access to Group FaceTime and Live Photos.
SEE ALSO:
Apple to compensate 14-year-old who discovered the Group FaceTime eavesdrop bug – February 7, 2019
Apple’s iOS 12.1.4 now available with Group FaceTime eavesdropping bug fixed – February 7, 2019
House Democrats demand answers from Apple on Group FaceTime eavesdropping flaw – February 6, 2019
Apple likely to pay reward to 14-year-old boy who found Group FaceTime eavesdropping bug – February 4, 2019
Apple’s iOS 12.1.4 is coming to fix the worst iPhone and iPad bug to date – February 2, 2019
Apple apologizes for Group FaceTime eavesdropping bug; will issue fix and re-enable feature next week – February 1, 2019
Canadian law firm applies for class action lawsuit against Apple over FaceTime eavesdropping bug – January 31, 2019
New York state begins probe into Apple’s slow response to FaceTime eavesdropping flaw – January 30, 2019
Apple sued over FaceTime bug that lets people eavesdrop – January 30, 2019
Apple was alerted about FaceTime eavesdropping bug days ago, did nothing – January 29, 2019
Apple, champion of ‘privacy,’ utterly blows it with massively stupid FaceTime bug – January 29, 2019
Apple to patch audio bug in FaceTime that allows users to hear audio and see video from users who have not yet accepted a call – January 29, 2019
Open letter to Tim Cook: Apple needs to do better – January 5, 2015