Apple has released the latest software update iOS 14 for its devices.
Users have now noticed glowing dots in the top right corner of their smartphones.
What's behind it?
Apple CEO Tim Cook * announced many new features regarding the iPhone software iOS 14 at the Apple keynote in June.
Since last Wednesday, Apple users can download the new iOS14 and iPadOS14 operating systems.
In addition to new widgets and the app media library, the new features include
colored dots that sometimes
light up
in the upper right corner of
the
display of
the iPhone or iPad.
Users wonder what this is all about.
Apple: That means the green dot on the iPhone
With the update, Apple * is increasingly focusing on
data protection and privacy
.
The two lights are signals that show the user when an app is accessing the phone's camera and microphone.
If a green dot lights up in the status bar of your iPhone *, it means that an
app has access to the camera and the microphone
.
This happens, for example, when taking photos or when you are in a video call via zoom.
The green light does not mean that the pictures and audio are actually recorded, but only that the app has access to the device.
Apple: That's what the orange dot means on the iPhone
If instead of the green dot an orange dot appears in the upper right corner of the smartphone, an app has access to your microphone.
This can usually happen when you use the dictation function, answer a call or record a voice message, for example via WhatsApp *.
In theory, the glowing point can also mean that
conversations are being recorded
.
In iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, there's an easy way to tell if an app is using your camera or microphone.
Just look for this indicator at the top of your iPhone or iPad.
Like this.
pic.twitter.com/jZuO6A5UzY
- Apple Support (@AppleSupport) September 17, 2020
Apple / iPhone: How users protect themselves from unauthorized access
When you see the green or orange dots light up on your iPhone, you know that an app has access to your camera or microphone.
This is normal with many apps, for example with the camera or when you make voice recordings.
However, if the dots light up when you are using an app that you don't expect, it could be a sign that the
app is accessing more data than necessary
.
In the iPhone's “control center” you can check which app is currently using the camera or microphone.
To do this, swipe down from the top right edge of the screen or, on iPhones with a home button, swipe up from the bottom edge.
Under “Settings / Data protection” you can determine exactly which functions an app on your iPhone can access and, if necessary,
revoke authorization
on Apple * smartphones
.
*
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