Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by nittanymount 1138 days ago
if this is real (seems it is a real screenshot)

how could/dare FB do this, hmm... interesting... like to learn more...
1 comments
scarface74 1138 days ago
How is Android’s security model such a shit show that this is even possible?
link
Sohcahtoa82 1138 days ago
Think more on what the app does. It allows you to make calls. It needs access to the microphone.

But a user likely doesn't want to be forced to keep WhatsApp open as the front screen app while in a call. Maybe they want to open their e-mail or Calendar while in a call. That means the app needs to be able to use the microphone while running in the background.

Though I suppose you could argue that the app should not be allowed to start using the microphone while the app is in the background. Yes, I think that'd be quite reasonable.

link
scarface74 1138 days ago
> Though I suppose you could argue that the app should not be allowed to start using the microphone while the app is in the background

That’s the crux of the problem. Why should any app be able to start a listening session without the user’s explicit intervention?

link
pedalpete 1138 days ago
Voice control. I can set-up Alexa on my phone to listen for the Alexa keyword.

Not that I have that enabled, but it is an option.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeI...

link
scarface74 1137 days ago
And a well designed OS would think about the security implications and it would orchestrate, “when a certain word is heard, launch $x”
link
cma 1138 days ago
What if you want to answer a call straight from the notification dropdown?
link
scarface74 1138 days ago
You can do that on iOS devices after you explicitly press a button to answer the call
link
DANmode 1138 days ago
Assuming you're an iOS user, that's a thread you really shouldn't pull.
link
scarface74 1138 days ago
Is there any app on iOS that can start using a microphone in the background without you explicitly starting it?
link
LorenPechtel 1138 days ago
It would have to have mic privilege to make a call.
link
netsharc 1138 days ago
But the system is configurable to deny, allow when app is in use, or allow at all times (even when the app is in the background).

I wonder what the Twitterer's setting was...

link
scarface74 1138 days ago
And it makes no sense to have an option to allow an app to start listening while in the background without the user starting the session.
link
LorenPechtel 1137 days ago
You can be on a phone call with the phone in the background.
link