Summary

The author discusses privacy concerns associated with the Apple Watch's ability to remotely control an iPhone's camera and voice recorder, highlighting the potential for unintended surveillance and privacy breaches.

Abstract

The author of the article has recently discovered significant privacy issues with their new Apple Watch and iPhone. Despite enjoying the smartwatch's features, such as notification management, activity reminders, and labor-saving apps, the author is alarmed by the device's ability to take photos and record audio discreetly. This functionality, combined with the iPhone's zoom capabilities, allows for covert surveillance from a distance, raising serious concerns about confidentiality and espionage, especially in sensitive environments. The author demonstrates how the watch can capture clear images of distant objects without drawing attention, and how the iPhone can be used to record audio or take pictures silently from afar when paired with the watch. The article emphasizes the need for awareness and security measures to protect against potential misuse of this technology, while also acknowledging that most people are trustworthy and the privacy issues are unintended consequences of technological convenience.

Opinions

The author appreciates the Apple Watch's features but is deeply concerned about its potential for privacy invasion.
There is a sense of irony in the ease with which the watch can be used for espionage, given its primary purpose of convenience and connectivity.
The author believes that the combination of the Apple Watch and iPhone poses a significant risk to confidentiality, especially in industries dealing with sensitive information.
Despite the privacy concerns, the author does not advocate against the use of Apple Watches but encourages caution and the implementation of security protocols.
The author emphasizes the importance of being aware of one's surroundings and the behavior of others to mitigate the risk of unauthorized surveillance.
There is a call to action for organizations to develop and enforce effective security procedures to protect sensitive information.
The author maintains an optimistic view of humanity, reminding readers that most people are well-intentioned, despite the potential for misuse of technology.

My New Apple Watch is a Privacy Nightmare

And a voyeur’s dream

I’ve had my new iPhone and Apple Watch for a couple weeks now, and have been quite happy with what I’ve been discovering. I’ve managed to turn off some notifications so that my wrist isn’t buzzing every minute, which has made me much happier. The notifications I do get are largely unobtrusive and can easily be silenced or ignored if they’re not immediately helpful.

I’m still enjoying the “Breathe” and “Stand” reminders that I get when I’m not active enough. The gentle encouragement I get from the apps is slightly patronizing, but a nice reminder that I can accomplish lots during the day.

Breathe

And do the next right thing

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What I discovered a couple days ago though, has changed my opinion significantly.

Don’t get me wrong, I still love the phone and the watch.

I will just be infinitely more cautious about what I’m saying, and what others are saying around me.

The Apple Watch comes equipped with some labor-saving apps that are designed to make life easier when using it with your paired iPhone.

I can use my wrist to answer phone calls like a secret agent, I can take notes, talk to Siri, and even ping my phone when I’ve forgotten where I put it. For those of us who remember the 1990 movie with Warren Beatty and Madonna, or even the classic comic strip, there’s even a walkie-talkie app so we can live out our Dick Tracy dreams.

It also comes equipped with two apps that are going to cause a lot of people headaches; a remote shutter release, and a way to activate the voice recorder remotely.

I work in an industry where we are exposed to reams of confidential information, much of which we can’t even share with other parts of my organization. This combination of the Apple Watch and iPhone make surveillance and espionage not only unobtrusive, but also as easy as checking the time.

These are the result of me “checking my watch” in a public parking lot

Taken from my iPhone in my belt holster using the Apple Watch app. (Author)

From the same position, this time using the zoom function. (Author)

As far as anyone could tell, I was checking my watch…maybe answering a message, or reading a notification. There was no indication that I was taking a photograph, not even a shutter release noise.

That school in the background? It’s actually almost an entire city block away, across a football field-sized grassy area. (Author)

When it’s combined with the iPhone 11 Max Pro’s impressive zoom features, you can get clear pictures without ever moving your phone off your hip, or out of your pocket. When it’s combined with the ability to start a sound recording from my wrist, I could conceivably record an entire walk-through of a facility to be reviewed at a later point. Of course, with the ability to slip the bands off, it becomes really easy to hide the watch face in a pocket or even in a hand and take photos that way.

What makes it a voyeur’s dream?

The phone (and camera) could be dozens of feet away, and the remote shutter release still works, makes sense right? Except that if the phone is set on silent, it doesn’t make any noise. Still not getting it?

Voyeur + Apple Watch + iPhone =

This is our (empty) bathroom at home…taken while I was on the other side of the house. (Author)

Consider the thought of a silent phone taking photos after being placed in the ceiling of a dressing room or bathroom.

It gets worse

I forgot to mention, the Apple Watch App provides a live view of what the camera is seeing, even if you don’t take a picture. Anyone with a watch connected to a phone can monitor the room where the phone is while they’re dozens of feet away. So there’s no evidence to prove what happened if the phone itself isn’t found in an incriminating place.

There’s no reason to immediately distrust anybody with an Apple Watch, in fact most of us are good people. That being said, there are good reasons not to take technology into private places or sensitive locations. You also shouldn’t not buy one simply because of these issues, if you will find the watch itself useful and helpful, then you should certainly consider it.

It is, however, a reminder that there will always be unintended consequences as our devices become more interconnected, and try to make our lives more convenient. The remote shutter release is a great idea for taking family pictures with the phone/watch combination. The privacy consequences were unintended, as they usually are.

What can you do to protect yourself?

What you do will be different from what I’ll do, and from what anyone else will do, but here are some of the ways that you can protect yourself from unwanted invasions of privacy.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings: I can’t emphasize this enough in any place, or in any security concepts that I teach or talk about. The first step to being safe and secure is to be aware of your surroundings. Look for places where phones or cameras could be hidden. Pay attention to dark corners or things that look out of place.
Be Aware of the People Around You: I don’t personally care what people look like, appearances aren’t what I will use to identify someone to watch. Watch for people behaving abnormally, trying to use their watch or phone without drawing attention to their actions.
Pay Attention to Behaviours and Mannerisms: Someone who is trying to get away with something or be sneaky about something will often behave abnormally. Learn to identify when someone is behaving abnormally and to pay attention to the little things.
Be Aware of Any Devices in Secure Locations or Meetings: This not only applies to law enforcement, homeland security, or classified locations and meetings. This also applies to corporate meetings where sensitive information is being discussed. Remember that as far as anyone knew, I was checking the time, but I could very easily have been taking pictures of a computer screen, prototype, or security mechanisms.
Develop Effective Security Procedures, and Enforce Them: If you have any sensitive information that is part of your organization, then you are legally responsible for having and enforcing effective security procedures. If electronic devices aren’t allowed in some areas, then that applies to everyone from the CEO to the janitor and the night security guard.
Remember that Most People Are Good: Despite everything I’ve said in this article, remember that most people are good and don’t have any bad intentions. Through a lifetime (okay, 20 years) of working in safety and security-sensitive positions, this core concept has worked well for me. My core assumption is that people are good, and in order to change that impression of them, they will need to behave in ways that prove to me that they’re not.

Don’t let this scare you off from people with Apple Watches and iPhones, no more than you should be worried about going out into public places or big celebrations. The consequences are unintended, but very real if you’re not aware of what they could be.