Apple Rewards Teen Who Discovered Group FaceTime Eavesdropping Flaw
Apple confirms it will compensate 14-year-old Grant Thompson for finding a major Group FaceTime bug that allowed users to listen in on others before they answered a call. The tech giant also plans to provide an additional gift toward the teenager's education.
Apple announces it will pay 14-year-old Grant Thompson after he discovers a major Group FaceTime bug that allows users to eavesdrop on others before they answer a call. Thompson, a high school student from Arizona, stumbles upon the flaw while setting up a group chat with friends to play Fortnite. His mother repeatedly tries to alert Apple through emails and social media, but the company does not respond until the news goes viral online.
The tech giant recently issues a fix for the privacy vulnerability in its iOS 12.1.4 security update. The official release notes for the patch credit Thompson alongside another individual named Daven Morris from Texas. Apple takes the Group FaceTime feature offline temporarily while it develops and deploys the necessary software repair to protect its users.
In addition to a financial payment, Apple provides an extra gift to support Thompson's education. The exact amount of the compensation remains undisclosed, though Apple offers up to $200,000 in cash rewards through its official bug bounty program. This situation highlights a growing trend of major technology companies rewarding young tech enthusiasts who uncover significant security flaws in popular software.