Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. News

iOS 14 camera indicator turns on when browsing Instagram; bug fix on the way

Aaron Mamiit
By

The security features of Apple’s iOS 14 revealed unexpected behavior with the Facebook-owned Instagram app, a fix for which is on the way after being declared a bug.

Recommended Videos

The iOS 14, which is still in public beta, issues notifications whenever an app is accessing certain iPhone components. This is apparently the case with Instagram, as reports claimed that the camera indicator is turning on while using the app, even when just browsing through feeds and not taking photos.

Related

The discovery made by iOS 14 raises concerns that Instagram was accessing the iPhone’s camera without user consent. However, in a statement to Digital Trends, a spokesperson claimed that it was nothing more than a bug, and that a fix is in development.

“We only access your camera when you tell us to — for example, when you swipe from Feed to Camera. We found and are fixing a bug in iOS 14 beta that mistakenly indicates that some people are using the camera when they aren’t,” said the spokesperson. “We do not access your camera in those instances, and no content is recorded.”

The spokesperson told Digital Trends that the causes for the bug may be Instagram’s Create Mode, which is accessed through the camera, and accessing the camera directly from the app’s Feed, even partially.

iOS 14 discovers app accessing clipboard

The iOS 14 security feature that discovered the Instagram bug also previously found several apps accessing the iPhone’s clipboard, including TikTok, LinkedIn, and Reddit.

TikTok’s accessing of the iPhone clipboard forms part of Facebook ads launched by Trump’s presidential campaign that calls for support to ban the app.

Updated July 26, 2020: Added statement from Instagram spokesperson on a fix for the bug and its possible causes.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Aaron Mamiit
Aaron Mamiit
Contributor
Aaron received a NES and a copy of Super Mario Bros. for Christmas when he was 4 years old, and he has been fascinated with…
Your iPhone just got a new iOS update, and you should download it right now
iPhone 15 Pro display with iPhone 15 Pro Max in background.

Apple has just released a new security update, iOS 17.4.1. This comes a little over two weeks after iOS 17.4, which was a big update. iOS 17.4.1 doesn't add any new features, but it's still an important update you'll want to download as soon as you can.

With iOS 17.4.1, Apple states that the update “provides important bug fixes and security updates and is recommended for all users.” Apple doesn’t mention any specifics of these bug fixes, but more details on what this security update addresses may be revealed at a later date.

Read more
How to use iOS 17 FaceTime gestures (and what they look like)
Video reactions in macOS Sonoma, with the balloons effect in use.

iOS 17 brought a number of new iPhone features and optimizations to the table, and one of these tweaks adds a few cool layers of entertainment to your FaceTime experience. It’s called FaceTime gestures, and once it’s set up correctly, you’ll be able to send 3D animations to your friends and family during FaceTime video calls. You’ll even be able to trigger the animations with physical gestures!

Getting your phone ready for action doesn’t take much time or effort, but we put this guide together to walk you through the process nonetheless. 
How to make a FaceTime gesture in iOS 17

Read more
Apple just released iOS 17.4. Here’s how it’s going to change your iPhone
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro showing the screens.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro (left) and iPhone 15 Pro Max Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

If you have an iPhone, you'll want to check it right now for a big update. The iOS 17.4 update is officially rolling out right now and it includes some fairly significant new features.

Read more