Uber can Record Powerful feature in Apple iPhone Screen

In case ur using the uber app in your iPhone then be careful on the app can silently record iPhone screens, researcher finds, Uber is thought to be the only third-party app that was given access to the private, undocumented feature. It was reported earlier also, Uber collects your location data from the time of trip request through five minutes after the trip ends, including when the app is in the background and they do this to improve pick-ups, drop-offs, customer service, and to enhance safety. The app also shows you can turn off location data any time in your phone’s device settings.

Uber has said it will remove code from its iPhone app that security researchers say could let the ride-sharing app record the screen -- even when the app is closed. Now, a million dollar question comes on what intention they have developed this code in the app and secondly, does apple has got any methodology to check on the property of the software before it authorises to use in the apple platform.

The sources also says, Uber had been granted an undocumented private app permission allowing access to the screen-recording feature. It's one of many "entitlements" that allow developers to tap into features of an iPhone or iPad that are normally off limits to most app developers, unless they have been granted special permission by Apple.

Uber is the only third-party app that was given a private entitlement. Other iPhone and iPad app developers said the move was unprecedented. It is really most dangerous case, just wait and watch on who will held responsible. It's the equivalent of giving keylogging ability to apps.

It looks like no other third-party developer has been able to get Apple to grant them a private sensitive entitlement of this nature," Strafach told Gizmodo, who first reported about the issue. Considering Uber's past privacy issues I am very curious how they convinced Apple to allow this.

Now, Uber spokesperson said that the code was used to improve the rendering on its Apple Watch app. With this the API would allow maps to render on your phone in the background and then be sent to your Apple Watch. It is absolutely baseless and rather a smart answer to the smart theft by Uber. Now the second question is on what they are doing with the data they have received so far.

It is time for the Apple to take the call on whether to keep UBER in it’s App store for the time being or not allow inside.


This is not the first privacy concern surrounding Uber. Late last year, the ride-hailing company was found tracking its users' locations even after their rides ended. Uber was also in controversies at the mid of last year for monitoring the battery life of its users, as the company believed that its users were more likely to pay a much higher price to hire a cab when their phone's battery is close to dying.

Tags: Uber, uber app, uber app in iphone, Apple iPhone, iphone, apple, iphone screens, iPhone app, iPad, varindia