The UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has said don’t fret over new warning dots

For anyone who has recently updated to iOS14, you may be curious to know what those little green and yellow dots are in the top right of your phone.

The UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has now issued a clarification. It states that with iOS14, “When you see the green or orange dot on the top of the iPhone screen after updating to iOS 14, that is an alert that the app you’re using has started to use either your camera (green) or microphone (orange).”

Apple included the feature as an increased measure for security.

“If you notice that the marks appear even though it is not needed, this may mean that the application is trying to open the camera or microphone without your permission,” said the TRA, “and if this happens, we recommend that you either contact the application developer for clarification or deleting the application and reporting it to the App store.”

Apple’s new iOS system puts privacy at its very core. The indicator is just one of a number of privacy features. According to Apple, privacy is “a fundamental human right and at the core of everything we do.”

If you spot either coloured dot on your iPhone’s homescreen, just pull down into your Control Centre and you’ll be able to see exactly what app wants to use your data.

Other security concerns include limiting access to photos and locations, and stronger cryptographic techniques to better protect your passwords,


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