Apple Disables Walkie Talkie App on Apple Watch Due to Security Flaw

Apple has deactivated the Walkie Talkie app on Apple Watch after discovering a vulnerability that allowed users to secretly eavesdrop on other people’s phone conversations. While the app will remain installed on devices, it will not function until Apple resolves the issue.

About the Walkie Talkie App

The Walkie Talkie app lets two users, who have accepted each other’s invitations, use their Apple Watches as walkie-talkies for voice communication.

Apple’s Official Statement

“We have just become aware of a vulnerability in the Walkie Talkie app on Apple Watch and have disabled the feature as a precaution while we quickly fix the issue. We apologize to our users for the inconvenience and promise to restore the functionality as soon as possible,” Apple said in a press release.

How the Vulnerability Was Discovered

According to the press release, Apple learned about the problem through a special portal where security researchers can report vulnerabilities. The company stated that it is not aware of any instances where the vulnerability was exploited in real-world attacks. Apple has not disclosed the specific conditions under which the vulnerability could be exploited.