Are your phone microphone and camera tracking you? Check these tips to find out

WhatsApp is facing accusations of using a smartphone's microphone even when the app is not in use. However, the company led by Mark Zuckerberg has denied any involvement and said that the phone was to blame.

By: MD IJAJ KHAN
| Updated on: May 13 2023, 08:00 IST
In Pics: Send the best quality WhatsApp photos on iPhone, Android now; Know how
WhatsApp
1/5 Why does WhatsApp compress pictures while sharing it? This happens because in the Settings of the application the photo upload quality is set on auto by default, and therefore, the quality of the image while sharing depends on several factors like the internet connection, size of the image, and more. The app therefore, looks to downsize the image, which affects its quality. (PTI)
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2/5 How to send the best quality photo on WhatsApp: Open WhatsApp on your iPhone or Android device and click on the three dots to go to WhatsApp Settings. From Settings you will have to select Storage and Data. After that you will have to tap on the Photo upload quality and select the Best Quality option and then click on Ok. (REUTERS)
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3/5 Meanwhile, you can also check the steps to send photos and videos on WhatsApp here: Go to WhatsApp and open an individual or group chat where you want to send the photo or video. Click on the Attach icon, then follow the steps mentioned below: (PTI)
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4/5 On an Android device, click on the gallery to select an existing photo or video from your phone. Tap and hold to select multiple images. You can also add captions to photos and videos. Swipe between photos to add captions to each one and finally click on the send icon. (REUTERS)
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5/5 While iPhone users will have to click on the plus icon and then select Photo and Video Library to select a photo or video from your iPhone's photos or albums. After selecting a photo or video, tap Add at the bottom left to select multiple photos or videos at once. (Pixabay)
WhatsApp
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Whatsapp is facing immense backlash for using a smartphone’s microphone and camera anonymously. (Pixabay)

A viral tweet by a Twitter engineer claimed that WhatsApp listens through a smartphone's microphone even when the app is not in use, raising privacy concerns. WhatsApp denies these allegations, attributing them to a phone's operating system issue.

In recent months, there have been a number of reports of apps using users' microphones and cameras without users' knowledge or consent. This has raised serious privacy concerns, as it means that apps could be listening in on private conversations or recording videos without users being aware of it.

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To safeguard privacy, users should exercise caution regarding app faults. Here are tips to check if a specific app has access to the microphone or camera and if it is currently using them in the background.

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For iPhone users:

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Scroll down and tap on Privacy.

3. Select Microphone or Camera to view the apps with access to these features.

4. To revoke access, simply toggle the switch to the left for any app you wish to disable.

To check if an app is currently using your microphone or camera on iPhone:

1. Observe the status bar at the top of your screen.

2. A green dot indicates camera usage, while an orange dot signifies microphone usage.

3. Alternatively, swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to open the Control Centre, which will display the apps currently utilizing your microphone or camera.

For Android users:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.

2. Scroll down to Apps & Notifications.

3. Locate and tap on the app you want to check.

4. Tap Permissions to view the granted permissions.

5. Look for Microphone or Camera in the permissions list to identify which apps have access.

To check if an app is currently using your microphone or camera on Android:

1. Swipe down from the top of your screen to access the notification panel.

2. Check for microphone or camera icons in the status bar.

3. Tap the respective icon to determine which app is using your microphone or camera.

By following these simple steps, users can proactively manage app permissions and ensure their privacy remains secure.

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First Published Date: 13 May, 07:59 IST
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