Back in the day, phones didn’t care what you wore (or didn’t)—now they’re interrupting video calls
- Replies 0
Technology is meant to bring people closer—but what happens when it starts drawing the line on intimacy?
A new feature in an upcoming iPhone update is raising eyebrows for quietly shutting down video calls under certain conditions.
While it promises added protection, many worry it could come at the cost of personal connection.
The days of sharing intimate moments over a screen may be numbered—at least for those using Apple’s FaceTime.
A controversial feature in the upcoming iOS 26 update has sparked confusion and frustration among users, particularly those in long-distance relationships who depend on video calls to stay connected.
With the rollout of iOS 26, FaceTime now uses machine learning to detect nudity—or even the beginning of undressing—and automatically shuts off both video and audio.
A message then appears on screen, warning the user: ‘Audio and video are paused because you may be showing something sensitive.’
The message goes on: ‘If you feel uncomfortable, you should end the call.’ At that point, users are presented with two choices—‘Resume Audio and Video’ or ‘End Call’.
While the feature is designed to enhance user safety, especially for minors, many felt it strayed into intrusive territory. One social media user joked: ‘Well that's one way to end a work meeting early.’
Another quipped: ‘wtf. All my calls end in undressing.’
Someone else remarked: ‘Long distance couples in shambles.’
The backlash gained traction after a tech enthusiast known as @iDeviceHelpus flagged the update, which was later reported by Apple fan site 9to5mac.
Screenshots of the FaceTime interruption message quickly circulated, drawing criticism from users who assumed the feature would only apply to child accounts.
In a blog post published when iOS 26 was first unveiled in June, Apple detailed the feature—called Communication Safety—and described it as a protective tool. The tech giant explained: ‘Communication Safety expands to intervene when nudity is detected in FaceTime video calls, and to blur out nudity in Shared Albums in Photos.’
However, the update reportedly also applied to FaceTime calls between adults, leading to questions over whether that was deliberate or a glitch.
Apple has not confirmed either way, and they were contacted for clarification—though Apple is typically tight-lipped about its beta features.
For concerned users, Apple stressed that it did not store the content of FaceTime calls. The company clarified that its nudity detection relied solely on on-device machine learning, a form of artificial intelligence, to maintain user privacy.
‘Because the photos and videos are analysed on your child’s device, Apple doesn’t receive an indication that nudity was detected and doesn’t get access to the photos or videos as a result,’ the firm stated.
The Communication Safety tool is part of a wider suite of changes introduced in iOS 26, which is currently available only to beta testers. The general public can expect the free update sometime in September, when it will be rolled out for iPhone 11 models and newer.
In addition to the FaceTime safety feature, Apple made headlines with the debut of its new design concept—Liquid Glass.
This aesthetic update gives the user interface a translucent, glass-like look and feel, which Apple claimed would ‘bring greater focus to content and deliver a new level of vitality across controls, navigation, app icons, widgets, and more’.
But not everyone was on board. Critics on social media slammed the redesign, with one saying it was ‘the ugliest thing Apple has ever done’.
Another went so far as to claim Steve Jobs ‘would've fired everyone at Apple’ for coming up with it.
Other additions in iOS 26 included custom chat backgrounds in the Messages app, a new Games app that consolidated all Apple Arcade titles, and a Live Translation feature that allows real-time translations across FaceTime, phone calls, and Messages.
Users could also filter unknown numbers and access enhanced group chat features.
Despite the controversy surrounding Communication Safety, the bulk of iPhone users have yet to experience iOS 26. That will change once it moves beyond beta testing and into public release, likely coinciding with Apple’s typical spring product launch cycle.
The new operating system will be compatible with the following iPhones:
While many welcomed the update for its privacy-forward features, others saw it as yet another example of technology overstepping boundaries—particularly when it comes to the most human of connections.
Here’s another cautionary tale worth checking out—it explores how a major Australian bank teamed up with a telecom provider to introduce anti-scam technology on landlines.
Just as Apple’s new FaceTime feature aims to protect intimacy, this initiative shows how tech can also step in to guard personal security offline.
It’s a practical companion read that highlights both the benefits and boundaries of safety through innovation.
Read more: Essential change by Commonwealth Bank and Telstra to safeguard our seniors
While Apple says it's all about safety, some fear this kind of technology may be crossing into the deeply personal.
As devices get smarter, the line between helpful and overbearing seems to get thinner. Have you ever felt like a so-called safety feature went too far?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
A new feature in an upcoming iPhone update is raising eyebrows for quietly shutting down video calls under certain conditions.
While it promises added protection, many worry it could come at the cost of personal connection.
The days of sharing intimate moments over a screen may be numbered—at least for those using Apple’s FaceTime.
A controversial feature in the upcoming iOS 26 update has sparked confusion and frustration among users, particularly those in long-distance relationships who depend on video calls to stay connected.
With the rollout of iOS 26, FaceTime now uses machine learning to detect nudity—or even the beginning of undressing—and automatically shuts off both video and audio.
A message then appears on screen, warning the user: ‘Audio and video are paused because you may be showing something sensitive.’
The message goes on: ‘If you feel uncomfortable, you should end the call.’ At that point, users are presented with two choices—‘Resume Audio and Video’ or ‘End Call’.
While the feature is designed to enhance user safety, especially for minors, many felt it strayed into intrusive territory. One social media user joked: ‘Well that's one way to end a work meeting early.’
Another quipped: ‘wtf. All my calls end in undressing.’
Someone else remarked: ‘Long distance couples in shambles.’
The backlash gained traction after a tech enthusiast known as @iDeviceHelpus flagged the update, which was later reported by Apple fan site 9to5mac.
Screenshots of the FaceTime interruption message quickly circulated, drawing criticism from users who assumed the feature would only apply to child accounts.
Users stunned as FaceTime blocks adult calls. Image source: Apple
In a blog post published when iOS 26 was first unveiled in June, Apple detailed the feature—called Communication Safety—and described it as a protective tool. The tech giant explained: ‘Communication Safety expands to intervene when nudity is detected in FaceTime video calls, and to blur out nudity in Shared Albums in Photos.’
However, the update reportedly also applied to FaceTime calls between adults, leading to questions over whether that was deliberate or a glitch.
Apple has not confirmed either way, and they were contacted for clarification—though Apple is typically tight-lipped about its beta features.
For concerned users, Apple stressed that it did not store the content of FaceTime calls. The company clarified that its nudity detection relied solely on on-device machine learning, a form of artificial intelligence, to maintain user privacy.
‘Because the photos and videos are analysed on your child’s device, Apple doesn’t receive an indication that nudity was detected and doesn’t get access to the photos or videos as a result,’ the firm stated.
The Communication Safety tool is part of a wider suite of changes introduced in iOS 26, which is currently available only to beta testers. The general public can expect the free update sometime in September, when it will be rolled out for iPhone 11 models and newer.
In addition to the FaceTime safety feature, Apple made headlines with the debut of its new design concept—Liquid Glass.
This aesthetic update gives the user interface a translucent, glass-like look and feel, which Apple claimed would ‘bring greater focus to content and deliver a new level of vitality across controls, navigation, app icons, widgets, and more’.
But not everyone was on board. Critics on social media slammed the redesign, with one saying it was ‘the ugliest thing Apple has ever done’.
Another went so far as to claim Steve Jobs ‘would've fired everyone at Apple’ for coming up with it.
Other additions in iOS 26 included custom chat backgrounds in the Messages app, a new Games app that consolidated all Apple Arcade titles, and a Live Translation feature that allows real-time translations across FaceTime, phone calls, and Messages.
Users could also filter unknown numbers and access enhanced group chat features.
Despite the controversy surrounding Communication Safety, the bulk of iPhone users have yet to experience iOS 26. That will change once it moves beyond beta testing and into public release, likely coinciding with Apple’s typical spring product launch cycle.
The new operating system will be compatible with the following iPhones:
- iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, and 16e
- iPhone 15 range
- iPhone 14 range
- iPhone 13 models, including the mini
- iPhone 12 series
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2020 and 2022)
While many welcomed the update for its privacy-forward features, others saw it as yet another example of technology overstepping boundaries—particularly when it comes to the most human of connections.
Here’s another cautionary tale worth checking out—it explores how a major Australian bank teamed up with a telecom provider to introduce anti-scam technology on landlines.
Just as Apple’s new FaceTime feature aims to protect intimacy, this initiative shows how tech can also step in to guard personal security offline.
It’s a practical companion read that highlights both the benefits and boundaries of safety through innovation.
Read more: Essential change by Commonwealth Bank and Telstra to safeguard our seniors
While Apple says it's all about safety, some fear this kind of technology may be crossing into the deeply personal.
As devices get smarter, the line between helpful and overbearing seems to get thinner. Have you ever felt like a so-called safety feature went too far?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
