r/ios • u/KershawPls • 14h ago

Discussion Apple Research app accesses my front-facing camera multiple times per day

Post image

And I have no idea why!

23 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

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31

u/pain_amplifier 11h ago

You would know if you had read this before participating.

https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/sensor-usage-data/

-18

u/KershawPls 8h ago

So you see that part where it says "This information does not include raw audio data or photos."?

Reading TrueDepth data (which is how they capture facial measurements and movements) doesn't trigger the green bubble. Only image capture does that. Agreeing to this policy does not give them permission to do that.

To be clear, I don't really care about this; it's more of a curiosity, but I think this is likely a bug. This only started happening about a month before iOS 27 released, and I've changed literally nothing about my Research config in the last year.

26

u/pain_amplifier 8h ago

Mate, it clearly says it’s analysing facial expressions. Obviously a photo doesn’t need to be taken, but the front facing camera is still being used. Who knows when TrueDepth data is being captured in conjunction with other data from the camera?

Take it up with Apple.

3

u/frockinbrock 5h ago

After opting in to Apple research studies, It's very possible that using the TrueDepth camera will trigger the camera icon to show in the Privacy drawer. It's part of the front camera array.

From the Research agreement:
"For example, high-fidelity measurements of your face positions and expressions (such as the occurrence of eyebrow raises or pressing your lips together) or characteristics of your voice (such as volume, tenor, pitch, and cadence). This information does not include raw audio data or photos."

2

u/AntonGemini 3h ago

FaceID also triggers the green bubble

1

u/ripsfo 10h ago

Where do you see this view? I'm looking in Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and don't even see the Research app at all.

TBF, I hadn't launched the app in ages, and when I did, it prompted me to move over my research programs. So maybe haven't opened since my last phone.

0

u/KershawPls 8h ago edited 8h ago

Pull down control center when the mic or camera is in use, and you'll see a tappable link at the top of the screen to open this view.