Apple Temporarily Disables Walkie-Talkie App for Apple Watch Due to Eavesdropping Vulnerability

[AppleMad98004]

Eavesdropping was a "feature" of the walkie talkie's we used in the 80's as kids.....

 

[AMTYVLE]

Who even uses this feature? Everyone I know with an AW doesn't even know WT exists.

 

[Tech198]

Since this is just Facetime, (minus the video portion), it may have just made sense to do a 'Facetime audio only' call.

 

[Flojomojo]

I liked the concept, but it's awkward in real use, kinda like some of the early watch apps. I'm glad they're fixing it quickly.

Is this why my watch rebooted in the middle of the day today? I don't think it usually does that.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

W Everyone I know with an AW doesn't even know WT exists.

That's sort of the point?

Some people I know wear their AW for literally any activity they're doing. You can eavesdrop into someone's... private business ... and they'll never know.

 

[I7guy]

That's sort of the point?

Some people I know wear their AW for literally any activity they're doing. You can eavesdrop into someone's... private business ... and they'll never know.

The article doesn’t say whether or not a push invitation has to be sent or not or whether it’s an active or passive exploit.

At this point water under the bridge, but I wonder if there’s a class action lawsuit coming.

 

[macduke]

Crap. Going on a vacation next week. Going to miss this unless it is patched soon. Super useful when splitting up while exploring.

I’ve honestly never used the feature. None of friends or peers use it either. Is anybody else not missing this?

My wife and I use it every single day to quickly ask each other things. Really handy when you have an arm full of groceries or children, when outside doing yard work, or to quickly ask her something when I'm downstairs in my studio working. Much cheaper than installing an intercom system in our house. Especially useful at theme parks and festivals or when traveling in a convoy on the road. Actually it's way safer than texting while driving, especially if I'm just letting my wife know that I'm on my way or that yes, I can pick up something to eat. I like that I can operate it with my nose, lol. I like it much better than texting as long as I'm not in a quiet public location or at work.

I really want to use it and like it, but on my S2 (and my girlfriends S2) it just seems to not connect a lot, and generally is very hit or miss.

It's not just you. It does this on Series 4 as well. The service is just really glitchy. I'm looking forward to it improving in the coming years.

 

[mi7chy]

Too bad Apple forced their own crapplet instead of supporting a proven app like Zello that was key communication tool for citizen first responders/Cajun Navy in Hurricane Irma rescue efforts.

 

[MadeTheSwitch]

It disabled itself a long time ago on my watch. It’s funny that people can evesdrop when I can’t even use it the intended way. Have never been able to fix it. Really disappointing as I had been using it a lot to communicate with my husband. Now I have to phone call him which is so annoying to me.

 

[sumisu3]

I use it pretty regularly when I’m out on my property (12 acres) trimming trees or doing other work and the kids or my wife want to ask me something. Watch on my wrist, phone in a pocket or in the ATV, so works great, quick and easy. Just used it as recently as approximately 48 hours ago actually.