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A lawyer is suing Apple over FaceTime bug, says it let someone listen in on sworn testimony
A Houston lawyer has filed a lawsuit against Apple over a security vulnerability that let people eavesdrop on iPhones using FaceTime.
The bug went viral on Monday evening after news outlets, including CNBC, verified that one person was able to place a FaceTime video call to another person and, using the exploit, was able to listen in or see video of the recipient of the call, even if they didn't answer. Attorney Larry Williams II says he heard about the bug on or before Sunday.
His lawsuit, filed Monday in Harris County, Texas, alleges that Apple "failed to exercise reasonable care" and that Apple "knew, or should have known, that its Product would cause unsolicited privacy breaches and eavesdropping." It alleged Apple did not adequately test its software and that Apple was "aware there was a high probability at least some consumers would suffer harm."
The suit says that Williams was "undergoing a private deposition with a client when this defective product breached allowed for the recording" of the conversation.
Williams claimed this caused "sustained permanent and continuous injuries, pain and suffering and emotional trauma that will continue into the future" and that Williams "lost ability to earn a living and will continued to be so in the future."
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Saturday February 02 2019, @06:59PM
I agree, and that's why I wrote the parenthetical: "(against my true feelings about data/computer security)". That parenthetical expression tells you that something else is going on. I was otherwise (key word: "otherwise") writing in the context of a limited scenario where I would somehow be working for and in favor of Apple and other providers.
Our (USA's) legislative and legal system is a huge mess! My true feelings about it are quite cynical: I fear that most in government: legislative, administrative, and courts, are some of the laziest and least rational of society, and the system does not incentivize them to try harder. I could write volumes, and started to, but I don't have the time to.
For me, the bottom line right now, with all current factors: EULAs being in favor of the corporation, lack of data privacy laws, etc. - I haven't read the FaceTime EULA, but I bet it's all in favor of Apple / FaceTime and insulates them from blame, and the lawyer (of all people) should have known that (you know, here in the real world).