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Is voice dialing a security issue?

by Mel Martin Jun 22nd 2009 at 1:30PM

One of our readers has pointed out that even if you use a password lock on the new iPhone 3G S the voice dialing functions still work.

It's true. With the phone locked down you can still hold down the home key, and voice dial someone in your contacts list. Some will consider this a feature, and others a bug. If I wanted to make a quick call, it seems it would be nice to bypass the log in. If a thief had your iPhone, he'd have to know the name of someone in your contacts to call them, or just try a lot of guesses.

Then there is the matter of why a criminal would want to call someone on your contact list. "Hi Bob, I just stole this iPhone. Pretty neat, huh?"

If this issue does bother you, Apple has thoughtfully given you the ability to turn voice dialing off, and when you try it with the phone locked the computer voice dutifully warns you that voice dialing is non-functional.

You can't, by the way, turn off iPod voice control. So anyone could pick up your locked iPhone and say "play songs by Tiny Tim", wearing down your battery and offending everyone around them.

Thanks to Mike for pointing this out, but I don't think it's a big issue. Have I missed something? Weigh in with your thoughts.

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One of our readers has pointed out that even if you use a password lock on the new iPhone 3G S the voice dialing functions still work.It's...
 

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Will Clark

Also, wouldn't this be beneficial in the event of an accident, where someone needs to use your password-protected iPhone to contact the emergency services, or your ICE number? You could store your ICE contact under 'Emergency' and then it can be accessed even when your iPhone is locked.

June 23 2009 at 3:39 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
John

I don't understand... you're saying it's a security issue and possibly a bug that you can voice dial with the phone lock enabled... and your SHOWING A SCREENSHOT of how voice dialing can be turned off if you lock your phone! What???

June 22 2009 at 8:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Daneel

If you have songs by Timmy Tim on your iPhone, the only one you have to blame is yourself really.

June 22 2009 at 4:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mark D

This is great...I don't need to take my eyes off the road while making a call now. With the passcode on, you still have a level of security you wouldn't have otherwise, and you can make safe calls on the road. I think its a win-win situation.

June 22 2009 at 3:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jesse David Hollington

As others have pointed out, having the option to turn off the voice dialing eliminates that as a security issue for those who are concerned.

Therefore, the only remaining concern would be whether allowing somebody to listen to your iPod content would be a security concern... I guess that depends largely on your musical taste....

June 22 2009 at 3:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Jesse David Hollington's comment
SpinThis!

Yeh I don't see how this is any different on any other phone.

So to make this secure, you're going to enter a passcode every time you want to voice dial someone? Sounds like that would get old really quick.

June 22 2009 at 6:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jimthedj

If you dont want to use voice dialing becasue you REALLY THINK someone is going steal your phone, know names in your contacts, and dial them using voice dialing ....... AND for a purpose that would udermind your job or personal life.... you have bigger issues. Turn it off.

June 22 2009 at 2:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Will

I only use a pass code because my company makes me the fact that I can get around it when I need to make a cal is fricken awsome!

June 22 2009 at 2:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dave

Calling Barrack Obama...

June 22 2009 at 2:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Zach Everson

Does it recognize numbers any better than it recognizes voices?

June 22 2009 at 2:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Andrew Wickham

I think this is a security issue. Social engineering has become a huge threat over the past several years. What were to happen if someone stole the phone, opened the voice dial, and said "call mom." They then proceded to tell your mother that they are with her son at the hospital and needed some information so they would admit him to the hospital (i.e. social security number, address, phone number, etc.).

June 22 2009 at 2:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Andrew Wickham's comment
longterm

You're kidding, right?

So this Bond-esque thief is going to think to call someone's mother and somehow convince her to give up crucial info?

Farfetched to the extreme.

I agree with the poster who said that if it's disabled it's not an issue. This is the same as using/not using password-protection. If you say that there is a security issue when password protection is disabled, I would agree; however, since you have the ability to turn it on if you wish, I fail to see the issue. The converse is true with voice dialing.

If you are someone who wears a belt with your suspenders, then by all means, leave voice-dialing disabled.

June 22 2009 at 3:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
milkmage

"admit him to the hospital"

..in a TRUE emergency situation (when the patient is incapacitated or needs emergency lifesaving surgery or whatver) the EMTs/hospital better do the paperwork AFTER they stabilize me. "admit" to a hospital is usually for something thats planned, or non-life threatening. if you're so messed up you can't talk and get yourself admitted, i'd call that an emergency. i cut my had really bad once (severed nerves and veins on the back of my hand) I was able to get myself to the hospital, and as in no immediate danger. they didn't even ask my name until the stiches were in. it was a private hospital, too.

hospitals should not deny emergency medical care because they don't have your SSN. your point is moot because it shouldn't come up.

June 22 2009 at 10:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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