Why does my front facing camera light up red?

[shannonbrooke]

Forgive me if this is a weird/stupid question, but I've noticed sometimes on my iPhone 4, usually when I'm in a phone call or using the Google Voice app, the front facing camera lens turns red. I didn't think much of it at first, but it's kind of creeping me out now. Any ideas of why it would do this?

EDIT: Ok, so I feel a little idiotic now that I know it's the proximity sensor (I think?). Anyway, everything I read about it online in forums, it seems that people are very upset about it, but I'm not sure why this is a bad thing and what it means? Can someone explain?

 

[enoC]

Pretty sure it's not the front facing camera, but one of the sensors.. Take a closer look next time you see it.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2573871?start=0&tstart=0

 

[shannonbrooke]

Pretty sure it's not the front facing camera, but one of the sensors.. Take a closer look next time you see it.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2573871?start=0&tstart=0

Ah, you're absolutely right. I'm reading more about this and I can't figure out if this is a bad thing or not.

 

[enoC]

Ah, you're absolutely right. I'm reading more about this and I can't figure out if this is a bad thing or not.

If the sensor works, why worry about it?

 

[shannonbrooke]

If the sensor works, why worry about it?

Well, I didn't think it was anything to worry about, but I don't know much about these things and a lot of people seem to be upset about it from what I read on different forums and I didn't know why. I guess some people are just VERY nit picky.

 

[dougdaslug1]

If the sensor works, why worry about it?

With every company competing with each other for your data ( the only logical course of action ) companies are bound to want every iota which includes all senses audio, visual that are available and even I presume in future technology touch, smell and taste. Face book does not allow you to turn off you data completely even if you discontinue their services so I am sceptical to what companies are capable. I do not think I'm being too concerned. On the contrary, if everyone where to go on to read the fine print when agreeing to use services from popular social media sights I'm sure you would think twice and hopefully be aware of the future implicatiins. Even if you do not have anything to hide companies will still use whatever data you give them to their advantage more so than it would benefit you because it makes your life easier which in actuality is helping their company to be that much more advantageous. I use these companies my self but am trying to become more aware of these companies' behaviours.

 

[jpgr15]

With every company competing with each other for your data ( the only logical course of action ) companies are bound to want every iota which includes all senses audio, visual that are available and even I presume in future technology touch, smell and taste. Face book does not allow you to turn off you data completely even if you discontinue their services so I am sceptical to what companies are capable. I do not think I'm being too concerned. On the contrary, if everyone where to go on to read the fine print when agreeing to use services from popular social media sights I'm sure you would think twice and hopefully be aware of the future implicatiins. Even if you do not have anything to hide companies will still use whatever data you give them to their advantage more so than it would benefit you because it makes your life easier which in actuality is helping their company to be that much more advantageous. I use these companies my self but am trying to become more aware of these companies' behaviours.

3.5 year old thread, bud.

 

[C DM]

With every company competing with each other for your data ( the only logical course of action ) companies are bound to want every iota which includes all senses audio, visual that are available and even I presume in future technology touch, smell and taste. Face book does not allow you to turn off you data completely even if you discontinue their services so I am sceptical to what companies are capable. I do not think I'm being too concerned. On the contrary, if everyone where to go on to read the fine print when agreeing to use services from popular social media sights I'm sure you would think twice and hopefully be aware of the future implicatiins. Even if you do not have anything to hide companies will still use whatever data you give them to their advantage more so than it would benefit you because it makes your life easier which in actuality is helping their company to be that much more advantageous. I use these companies my self but am trying to become more aware of these companies' behaviours.

Aside from this being already discussed and done with years ago, none of this really has anything to do with the sensor that was being asked about.