Wired
Apple is famous for its data protection and privacy standards, which are strict compared to other tech giants. It may not fit into the picture that, according to a TikTok video that went viral, the iPhone is supposed to be secretly snapping infrared images of us users. In the following, we will tell you what is true of the claim.
Alleged video evidence: iPhone is said to be secretly taking photos
It is no secret for the enlightened Internet user that sensational online news, especially when it is making the rounds on social media, should be treated with caution. In this context, a video on the social media platform TikTok can also be classified in the “false information” category, which supposedly shows how the iPhone secretly takes an infrared photo every few seconds. Specifically, the clip shows how a light at the top of the screen flickers every five seconds on the Apple smartphone while the device is already unlocked.
The glowing infrared light, which is only made visible to the human eye with the help of a second infrared camera, is interpreted by the author of the video as a secret activation of the iPhone notch. So is there really something wrong with the unnoticed imaging by the iPhone?
No photos: the infrared sensor carries out an attention check
Not at all, because behind the “suspicious” flickering hides a practical feature of the TrueDepth camera, which is also responsible for unlocking the iPhone via Face ID. The so-called “attention-sensitive functions” check – if activated in the settings – whether the user is looking at the iPhone or not. Using an infrared sensor, which is hidden in the display recess at the top of the screen, the iPhone looks for a face and adapts its behavior accordingly.
If the device detects a face looking at the screen, it dims e.g. B. not automatically the screen and also reduces the volume when there are messages, since it is clear that the iPhone is currently being used. The flashing light is nothing more than one of the many sensors built into the camera system, which uses infrared floodlights to try to determine whether the screen is being viewed. If you would like to find out more about the functionality of the sensors in the TrueDepth camera system, you can watch the following video from the iPhone X presentation from 8:00 a.m. onwards.
Deactivate attention-sensitive functions
If you still feel uncomfortable with the function (for whatever reason), you can deactivate the feature in the Settings app under “Face ID & Code” → “Attention-sensitive functions” by tapping the switch.
Source: iPhone Tricks