Apple’s FaceTime ‘sensitivity’ warning causing nightmare for long-distance couples
Apple’s FaceTime update is stopping some long-distance couples in their tracks (stock image via Getty Images)
Social media users have been left “shocked” by a recent Apple iOS update, which gives a “sensitivity warning” if any nudity is visible during FaceTime calls.
The measure was obviously introduced for the safety and protection of children and other non-consenting people. It adds a layer of security that means unwanted nudity in Apple apps including Messages, FaceTime, AirDrop and Contacts will be blurred.
However, for consenting adults, it’s been putting a bit of a dampener on their online fun – especially for those in long-distance relationships.
TikTok user Jamie Knowles explained that he’d been in the shower while on a FaceTime call with his long-distance boyfriend, when his phone popped up with a warning message.
“It literally pops up with a warning,” he said in a video over the weekend. “It blocks your screen, like, ‘Are you sure you should be doing this? No-one’s forcing you to do anything? If someone is forcing you please call this number,’ and I’m like, ‘No, carry on.”
Knowles said: “This is a big issue for people in a long-distance relationship, must I say.”
He went on: “You can turn it off, and I have turned it off, and it is primarily for children. But still, regardless, panicked me a little bit because I was like, I can’t go four months without seeing something. That’s taking the p***, I can’t go that long. Shocked me, I must say.”
Someone commented: “I can’t FaceTime my man, he has to FaceTime me because I have a warning sign next to my name.”
Another said: “OMG same! In the shower too. It’s a great feature but wish I could turn it off.”
A third wrote: “This happened to me with my long distance boyfriend I was like what the f***?”
Meanwhile, Laura Jones also shared a TikTok video sharing her own experience, saying: “You can’t be doing anything you shouldn’t be.”
Other people have shared concerns about someone “watching” them, therefore seeing whatever they’re doing on FaceTime.
However Apple’s support pages says that the content warnings are done on the device, and that Apple itself does not have access to the photos or videos.
But if a user reports the sender of the content to Apple, then the offending material will be sent to them for review. Apple may then forward the information to law enforcement if necessary.
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
