How to Use FaceTime Safely and Privately

Introducing our “Facetime Introduction: How to Use FaceTime Safely and Privately.” This essential guide highlights the advantages and disadvantages of Facetime, along with step-by-step instructions on how to use FaceTime. Learn vital privacy tips to ensure your video calls remain secure and your personal information stays protected. Perfect for new users and seasoned Facetime enthusiasts alike, this resource will help you enjoy seamless, secure video communication. Stay connected with confidence using our expert Facetime guide!

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how to use facetime
how to use facetime

Why FaceTime?

Apple’s FaceTime app works on Wi-Fi, so one major benefit it has over your regular Phone app is that it can make free internet-based calls anywhere you have a Wi-Fi connection. You can use FaceTime from home, a hotel, restaurants, or any Wi-Fi hotspot without the need for quality mobile service. Plus, since Wi-Fi is supported, it works on not only iPhone but also iPod touch, iPad, and Mac. FaceTime also runs on cellular networks, so you can use it away from home, too, via your device’s mobile data plan. Learn how to use FaceTime with us.

Facetime Privacy

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Advantages

  • A free application that comes preinstalled in Apple devices
  • Optimized software to run smoothly on Apple devices
  • Quick and easy to setup and use
  • Calls are end to end encrypted

Disadvantages

  • Can only be used on Apple devices
  • No text based messaging and chat

How to use FaceTime

Check out this tutorial here: Source

iOS

macOS

Safety and Privacy Concerns

While Apple, the creators and owners of FaceTime, have a very good track record with regards to privacy and security compared to other tech companies, there was a security bug where callers could initiate a FaceTime call and listen in on the recipient before the call was accepted. While this issue has now been fixed, it is important to keep in mind that issues like these can occur regardless of the software, or company. Furthermore, Apple was slow to respond to the issue, waiting for six days to address the issue.

Source

Some bad actors have been using FaceTime’s group call feature to bombard others up to 20 times, during late hours of the night. They are able to call up to 31 people at a time, and the moment you hang up, another call comes in as someone in the group who missed the initial call follows up with a call back, causing a chain reaction.

The problem exists as FaceTime does not have the ability to accept only calls coming from the user’s contact list. Instead it’s similar to a phone number, where anyone can call as long as they have the number. While it is possible to block numbers from calling on FaceTime, users must do so manually, so it becomes a long process of blocking the numbers one by one.

Source

Apple retains personal data only for so long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, as described in this Privacy Policy, in their service-specific privacy notices, or as required by law. No specific data retention periods are provided. Hosts and participants all have the same level of control, from muting their own mic to switching from their phone’s front-facing camera to the rear. FaceTime centers video conference calls around group chats within the iPhone’s Messages app. Anyone within a specific group chat can join the group FaceTime call at any time.

Source

Resources

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