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Hamilton Spectator
5 hours ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Is it rude to call or FaceTime without warning? Here's why some say you should think twice before clicking the phone icon
Your thumb hovers over the send button as you stare into a luminous phone screen. You've typed the message out three times, but have deleted it twice. This one feels right, you think. And yet, you still hesitate. Would a quick call be better? How about FaceTime? Or is that too much? Meanwhile, your friend hasn't replied to your last text in two days but just posted on Instagram. Your co-worker left you a voicemail when a Slack message would've sufficed. And your mom? She's stewing about why you haven't picked up any of her last 10 video calls. In a social world where the line between welcoming and disruptive grows increasingly fuzzy, those thoughts and questions linger. Their answers? They're more nuanced than you'd think, according to experts. 'The default behaviour for weaker relationships tends to be text first,' said Jeffrey Boase, an associate communication, culture and information and technology professor at the University of Toronto. 'But ultimately, after people get to know each other, there can be more variety than that.' Phone calls are a lot less common now than they were decades ago, according to Anabel Quan-Haase, a sociologist at Western University who researches digital communication. Gen-Zers and millennials both feel anxious about phone calls with someone they aren't close with, compared to older generations, she said. That anxiety may come from the fact that a phone call can feel like an invasion of privacy. A sudden call might also spark concern. It can make people wonder if there is an emergency or if something is wrong, said Boase. A viral claim that 'K' is the worst possible text might not be far from the truth. A viral claim that 'K' is the worst possible text might not be far from the truth. Calls can also feel confining, Quan-Haase added. Unlike texts or voice notes, where people can respond when they choose, a phone conversation creates a social obligation to engage in real-time. A call can also come whenever removing a sense of control from the receiver, she said. 'Texting or voice message allows us to receive the message, process it on our own time, and then reply when we feel ready,' she said. 'Without (that) opportunity, it makes it feel like we need to respond right away.' A video chat is typically arranged ahead of time with someone you are close with, Quan-Haase said. It provides a shared hybrid virtual space as people can multi-task while holding a conversation, she added, giving an impression of 'togetherness' and signifying a tighter bond. But attitudes toward video calls vary widely across generations. 'For many older generations, the idea of having a long video chat that is ongoing while both communication partners are engaging in other activities seems not only rude but pointless,' Quan-Haase said. Video calling norms for younger generations are related to the introduction of different digital media in the era they grew up in, Quan-Haase said. Those generations may prefer it as each person on video call can multi-task while in conversation, making it a way to share part of their day. They are generally more acceptable with family members, romantic partners or close friends, said Boase. While video calls also happen in professional contexts, they're typically arranged ahead of time and have a clear purpose. And there is one rule of thumb all should consider: never video call a colleague out of the blue. 'It would be considered rude and it would interrupt a person's work day,' said Quan-Haase. Before hitting that video call button, it's worth considering two key things: how close you are to the person and what you're calling about. Your bond with the person you're calling can help determine if the call is appropriate, and the topic will help establish if it should be placed, Quan-Haase said. A call will likely be welcomed, for example, if the issue is urgent and the person is available. However, if it's just to say 'Hi' in the middle of a workday, then it could come across as disruptive. 'Close friends would be expected to know what their friends' routines are and place a video call accordingly,' she said. Research shows phone use can affect attention span and is correlated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, stress and loneliness. So what can Research shows phone use can affect attention span and is correlated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, stress and loneliness. So what can The history of interactions with close friends can help determine what medium of communication they prefer, Boase said, but that can always vary in each relationship. 'There's no one way of doing it or no sort of one understanding that everyone agrees on, especially when it comes to these closer relationships,' he said. Spontaneous calls can carry both benefits and downsides, Quan-Haase said. It can offer frequent social contact, reduce feelings of loneliness and help people reach out across different friendship groups. But it can also leave people feeling overwhelmed. Tools like Do Not Disturb and Caller ID have made it easier to manage those boundaries. 'It gives receivers of calls much more control over their social accessibility,' she said. 'They can determine not only who they want to talk to but also who they want to talk to when and how.' When accepting a video or phone call, it's also important to be aware of your surroundings, Quan-Haase said. Sometimes, people will accept one in public or on transit without headphones, causing loud disruptions — though it doesn't happen often, she said, as people typically understand social norms in shared spaces. However, it may feel like a more frequent occurrence, she said, because it's 'not only annoying, but out of our control.' A personal rule when reaching out for Boase is to always be thoughtful of someone's schedule, especially when breaking a typical pattern of communication. For Quan-Haase, home life is a little more flexible, as she'll often video call her children. 'I must admit that my kids, who are Gen Z, will often ignore my video call … But in this case, they know I don't understand the social norms and also that as the mom I want to connect,' she said. 'So, they accept that their mom will just bug them, as they refer to it.'
Indian Express
12 hours ago
- Indian Express
Apple's iOS 26 will auto-pause FaceTime calls if nudity is detected
Apple's upcoming operating system for the iPhone – iOS 26 has a new feature that will automatically pause FaceTime video calls if it detects nudity. As part of Apple's new family tools for child accounts, the feature is currently available on the latest iOS beta build. First spotted by the YouTube content creator iDeviceHelp, the functionality is designed to limit dangerous interactions for children, but it looks like it will be applicable to adults as well. When FaceTime detects nudity on a call, it will display a warning pop-up message that reads 'Audio and video are paused because you may be showing something sensitive. If you feel uncomfortable, you should end the call.' The pop-up warning then gives users the option to resume the video call as normal or end it immediately. As it turns out, there is an option in iOS 26 test accounts, but it looks like the feature still works when the toggle is turned off. This might be a bug in the beta build, and we expect Apple to fix it when it rolls out the stable version or the next beta build of its operating system. In iOS 26 FaceTime will pause the Video if you're undressing while on a FaceTime call here's the on screen prompt warning that you get asking if you would like to resume audio and video or End the call.👇 — iDeviceHelp (@iDeviceHelpus) July 2, 2025 To turn it off, open FaceTime and head over to the app settings. Now, under 'Sensitive Content Warning', you will see a feature that says 'Detect nude photos and videos before they are viewed on your device. and receive guidance to help make a safe choice.' Unsurprisingly, many are concerned about their privacy and are wondering if Apple is keeping a tab on what happens on video calls. However, the feature description goes on to say that 'Apple does not have access to the photos or videos.' On its 'Communication Safety' support page, the tech giant says it is using on-device machine learning to analyse images and video attachments to see if they contain nudity. If it detects nudity, it will then make sure that you don't access to the photos or videos. Since the new feature is currently in beta, it is still unclear if Apple will ditch it in the coming beta builds or roll it out to everyone when the stable version comes out this September.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
New iPhone ‘nudity-spotting' feature FREEZES video calls if someone strips off
The new feature is one of the many updates intended to help keep your child safe online NAKED TRUTH New iPhone 'nudity-spotting' feature FREEZES video calls if someone strips off THE NEW iPhone 'nudity-spotting' feature freezes video calls if someone strips off. The new technology is one of the biggest updates iPhone users have received in recent history. 1 THE new iPhone 'nudity-spotting' feature freezes video calls if someone strips off Credit: Reuters The new feature iOS 26 is a huge update for iPhone users and it's not all because of the stunning Liquid Glass design. During the premiere of iOS 26, Apple announced numerous changes to key apps like Safari and Messages, but barely mentioned the various quality-of-life updates. One of the updates that wasn't mentioned is FaceTime's new ability to freeze the audio and video in a call if someone starts taking their clothes off. Initially meant as part of Apple's children protection tools, that feature was discovered in the iOS 26 Developer Beta by iDeviceHelp on X. Protecting your children online Along with the iOS 26 announcement, Apple shared the many new tools and updated features meant to help parents protect their children online. Communication Safety was one of the updated features, which includes nudity detection in FaceTime video calls and Shared Albums in Photos. That feature is supposed to be only active on child accounts. However, it appears a similar feature is active for all iOS 26 Developer Beta users. Whenever FaceTime detects nudity during a video call, it freezes the audio and video of the call and shows a warning screen. There's then an option to resume the video and audio with one button or end the call. Apple interview with Greg Joz Joswiak on new artificial intelligence, screening, hold assist, carplay, liquid glass and ios updates There's no information about the circumstances under which the feature was discovered reports Phone Arena. Privacy concerns A feature that could detect nudity during a video call might raise some privacy concerns among users. However, Apple has a good explanation of how the current Communication Safety features work. In brief, Apple doesn't know anything about your calls because the whole monitoring process happens on-device. The full list of iOS 26 supported devices Sadly not all iPhone models are getting this upgrade but here are the ones that can. iPhone 16e iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 12 iPhone 12 mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone SE (3rd gen) iPhone SE (2nd gen) But, how many times have you answered the phone only to be met with silence, a spammer, or a sinister scammer? Probably too many to count. Apple has come up with a solution for iPhone owners called Call Screening in their new update. The feature works like Live Voicemail, a 2024 feature that transcribes voicemails in real time – giving you a chance to answer them. It also prevents scammers from being able to hear your voice and then clone it. Crooks can record you saying certain phrases, and even create AI "fakes" of your voice to use for future scams.
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
New iPhone ‘nudity-spotting' feature FREEZES video calls if someone strips off
THE NEW iPhone 'nudity-spotting' feature freezes video calls if someone strips off. The new technology is one of the biggest updates iPhone users have received in recent history. 1 The new feature for iPhone users and it's not all because of the stunning Liquid Glass design. During the premiere of iOS 26, Apple announced numerous changes to key apps like Safari and Messages, but barely mentioned the various quality-of-life updates. One of the updates that wasn't mentioned is FaceTime's new ability to freeze the audio and video in a call if someone starts taking their clothes off. Initially meant as part of Apple's children protection tools, that feature was discovered in the iOS 26 Developer Beta by iDeviceHelp on X. Protecting your children online Along with the iOS 26 announcement, Apple shared the many new tools and updated features meant to help parents protect their children online. Communication Safety was one of the updated features, which includes nudity detection in FaceTime video calls and Shared Albums in Photos. That feature is supposed to be only active on child accounts. However, it appears a similar feature is active for all iOS 26 Developer Beta users. Whenever FaceTime detects nudity during a video call, it freezes the audio and video of the call and shows a warning screen. There's then an option to resume the video and audio with one button or end the call. There's no information about the circumstances under which the feature was discovered reports Phone Arena. Privacy concerns A feature that could detect nudity during a video call might raise some privacy concerns among users. However, Apple has a good explanation of how the current Communication Safety features work. In brief, Apple doesn't know anything about your calls because the whole monitoring process happens on-device. The full list of iOS 26 supported devices Sadly not all iPhone models are getting this upgrade but here are the ones that can. iPhone 16e iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 12 iPhone 12 mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone SE (3rd gen) iPhone SE (2nd gen) But, how many times have you answered the phone only to be met with silence, a spammer, or a sinister scammer? Probably too many to count. Apple has come up with a solution for iPhone owners called Call Screening in their new update. The feature works like Live Voicemail, a 2024 feature that transcribes voicemails in real time – giving you a chance to answer them. Crooks can record you saying certain phrases, and even create AI "fakes" of your voice to use for future scams.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Business Standard
iOS 26 to bring spam filter for iMessage to silence unwanted texts: Report
Apple's iOS 26 is set to introduce a new spam filtering feature for iMessage, aimed at reducing interruptions by automatically detecting and silencing unwanted texts. According to a report by 9to5Mac, the feature will move suspected spam messages from unknown senders into a separate section, keeping the main inbox clean. This move is part of Apple's broader push to improve user safety and streamline the messaging experience. Spam filtering in iMessage As per the report, iOS 26 will prompt users to enable spam screening once the update is installed. If activated, the Messages app will automatically detect and silence spam messages. These messages will be filtered out of the main inbox and placed in a separate section, without triggering any notifications. This feature builds on existing message filtering tools and adds an extra layer of protection against unwanted communication. How the filter works Apple's new filtering system will sort messages into four categories: Messages (main inbox) Unknown Senders Spam Recently Deleted Users will be able to switch between these categories using a filtering tool located in the top-right corner of the Messages app. The Unknown Senders and Spam filters can be enabled or disabled independently, offering users flexibility in managing their inbox. To ensure important messages aren't missed, the Filters button will display a visual prompt if a new message is detected in any of the filtered sections. More features coming with iOS 26 Alongside spam filtering, iMessage is set to receive several new features in iOS 26, including: Conversation backgrounds Group typing indicators Polls Live translation These additions are part of a wider update across Apple's ecosystem, which will also enhance core apps like Wallet, Music, Notes, Reminders, and Photos. In related news, iOS 26 will also include a safety feature for FaceTime that automatically freezes video calls when nudity is detected. Part of Apple's Communication Safety tools, the feature was initially designed for child accounts but may also apply to adult users, according to 9to5Mac.
