Hackers 'crack' iPhone X Face ID software

A Vietnamese Security Firm released a video showing how they did it

Apple's new iPhone X seems to run into trouble every week.

Previously, the iPhone X found itself embroiled in a Face ID controversy when Bloomberg reported that Apple was reducing the accuracy of the Face ID recognition software to increase the supply of iPhone X devices.

Apple immediately rejected the report claiming “The quality and accuracy of Face ID haven’t changed. It continues to be 1 in a million probability of a random person unlocking your iPhone with Face ID,”  in a statement.



However, that may not be exactly true as a Vietnamese security firm Bkav released a video showing how hackers surpassed the iPhone X Face ID software.

Bkav published a blog post and video showing that they cracked Face ID with a composite mask of 3-D-printed plastic, silicone, makeup, and simple paper cutouts, which in combination tricked an iPhone X into unlocking.

"Potential targets shall not be regular users, but billionaires, leaders of major corporations, nation leaders, and agents like FBI need to understand the Face ID's issue," the Bkav researchers claimed.

More worryingly for Apple, the firm claimed that unlocking the iPhone was easier than they had envisaged.

"We just need a half face to create the mask. It was even simpler than we ourselves had thought."

Seems like its been a bad few days for Apple as users some iPhone X users started reporting problems with the display with a green line appearing on the edge of the screen.

Others took to Twitter claiming how some devices have a weird crackling and buzzing noise coming through the earpiece speakers.

Are you hearing a crackling sound coming from the front facing speaker of your iPhone x when you play music at full volume?

— Spooky Anthony (@bornsinner_ant) November 4, 2017

Mine too.. seems like it’s a common issue.

— RAMI (@mr_right_89) November 6, 2017

I have to take my iPhone x back it has crackling sound when I call out.

— Diamond4Life (@Diam0ndo818) November 5, 2017

My iPhone X’s front facing speaker is crackling at 100% volume. Kinda like distortion for bad quality speakers

— Ivan (@kaeizr) November 12, 2017

If you think you’re iPhone X might be having the crackling noise issue test it with this video. #iphonex #noisegate https://t.co/vzbEpbdt8b

— RAMI (@mr_right_89) November 6, 2017

As well as my Home button being attached by a string my iPhone is now making crackling noises at me. Roll on #iPhoneX

— Anna Laing (@avlaing) October 5, 2017

@MacTrast @MacRumors Am I the only iPhone X user experiencing issues with the earpiece speaker emitting static/crackling noises when the volume is maxed out?

— Joseph (@Sublimeside) November 9, 2017

While the complaints went unheard, there was this one particular tweet that got the attention of Apple Support handle as well, enough for them to respond.

Congratulations on your new iPhone X! We're here to help and would be happy to try and get the bottom of this with you. Can you confirm the version number shown in Settings > General > About > Version?

— Apple Support (@AppleSupport) November 12, 2017

These problems affect a small portion of the buyers so you shouldn't worry yet but if other security researchers can find ways to crack the Face ID software -- we may have a problem on our hands.