Apple to restrict Facebook's messaging apps feature

[steven36]

(Reuters) - Apple Inc is making a change to its mobile operating system that will restrict a feature that apps like Facebook Inc’s Messenger and WhatsApp use to make voice calls over the internet, The Information reported on Tuesday.

 

 

The calling feature in the apps runs in the background even when not in use, which means the apps can connect calls faster while performing other tasks such as data collection, according to the report.

 

The report  said that Apple is restricting the background access to apps while users make internet calls.

 

Both Apple and Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

 

Apple’s move will force the social media giant to redesign its messaging apps, the report said, citing two people familiar with matter, adding that it may have a heavy impact on WhatsApp, which has been using the internet calling feature in a variety of ways, including for implementing the app’s end-to-end encryption.

 

Source

[Matrix]

Apple could block Facebook apps from using VoIP in the background

This block will be part of Apple's next big smartphone OS update, iOS 13, according to The Information. iOS 13 is expected to arrive sometime this fall, and it will be bringing a host of other features and improvements to the popular mobile OS (including a long-requested dark mode).

The primary reason for Apple's decision to block VOIP from functioning in the background relates to privacy fears, as hinted at before. Apple worries that apps like the Facebook-owned Messenger and WhatsApp could collect user data if they're allowed to run the protocol at all times.

Facebook, for its part, has distanced itself from this idea. "The changes to the upcoming iOS releases are not insignificant, but we are in conversations with Apple on how best to address. To be clear—we are using the PushKit VoIP API to deliver a world-class, private messaging experience, not for the purpose of collecting data," a company spokesman told The Information.

"To be clear—we are using the PushKit VoIP API to deliver a world-class, private messaging experience, not for the purpose of collecting data,"

Whether or not you take the company at its word is up to you. Of course, it is worth noting that this is far from the first time Facebook has tangled with privacy woes -- the social media giant's notorious Cambridge Analytica data privacy scandal is still discussed to this day.

At any rate, as the company noted in the above quote, Facebook is currently talking with Apple to find a solution to the dilemma. Until that occurs, though, you may wish to delay updating to iOS 13 if the ability to run VOIP functionality in the background is important to you.

 

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[Infinite_Vision]

Thanks for the news peeps.  Again, if Apple can rebrand their brand as being privacy driven and safe haven from data collecting, it will be a win for them.  For everyday folk, it will be good enough for them especially in light what have transpired within the last year.  And I'm not Apple fan boy just someone who likes privacy.  I have used both OS.  I'm just a value buyer.   

 

Apple up the spec on your phone a bit and be competitve with Samsung, lower the price down a bit especially high end model, middle level pricing is very competitive, innovate and simplify things, and preach the privacy message compare to your competitors.  Lastly, be your own entity just like when JOB was running the place.  Don't get to cozy with the tiger as you can see, the tiger is coming out with version 4 of their phone soon.   

[mkc21]

someone got money from telecom companies