You can now download an update to fix Apple’s FaceTime bug

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If you can’t live without FaceTime, go check your iOS updates. Apple has released iOS 12.1.4, which fixes the Group FaceTime bug that was letting people spy on the person being called.

Apple has also completely audited FaceTime, which uncovered another bug in the Live Photos feature of FaceTime which has also been patched out.

Ten days isn’t a bad response to find, fix and test a bug of this importance. Apple likely retested multiple times to ensure that no other issues got introduced at the same time.

It’s also good news for the 14-year-old Fortnite player that found the bug initially, with Apple saying that it will be compensating the teenager under its bug bounty program. That payout will also include an unspecified additional gift towards the teenager’s education.

In case you’re thinking of commenting “But do I really need to update?” – Yes, yes you do. To download the update: open up the Settings app on your iOS device, navigate to General and then Software Update. As with all updates regarding security risk, the risk of not updating is usually greater.

Apple drew some congressional ire over the bug, with two congressmen sending a pointed letter to CEO Tim Cook quizzing him over things like when Apple first learned about the issue, if it knew of any other unannounced bugs, and the impact the flaw had.

Happy to see that Apple has taken care of the issue so promptly? Did you download the update? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.