Apple's latest update, iOS 26, is generating excitement among iPhone users with its innovative Liquid Glass design and a host of enhancements across popular apps like Messages, Wallet, and CarPlay. Most notably, a newly discovered feature in the iOS 26 beta raises eyebrows by implementing a system that pauses both video and audio during FaceTime calls if it detects nudity.

This feature, initially aimed at safeguarding child accounts, was introduced as part of Apple's Communication Safety initiative, which aims to create a safer environment for younger users. When Apple first announced iOS 26 last month, they highlighted the changes intended to improve family safety. One such update included the ability for FaceTime to block nudity in video calls, as well as a mechanism to blur out inappropriate content in Shared Albums within the Photos app.

However, recent findings by iDeviceHelp on social media platform X reveal that this functionality appears to extend beyond child accounts, potentially affecting all users, including adults. During a FaceTime call, if the system detects nudity, it will freeze the call’s video and audio, subsequently displaying a warning message that prompts users to either resume the call or end it altogether.

Currently, it remains unclear whether this broad application of the nudity detection feature for all users is an intentional part of the update or merely a glitch within the beta version. While this might spark concerns regarding privacy among users, it's important to note how Apple’s existing Communication Safety framework operates. The technology employs on-device machine learning to analyze video and photo attachments to identify potential nudity without sending any data back to Apple. This means that the analysis occurs exclusively on the user’s device, ensuring that Apple does not gain access to the content of the call or any related media.

As the beta testing phase continues, we will keep users informed about any further developments or clarifications regarding this intriguing FaceTime feature in iOS 26.

For those looking to enhance their iPhone experience further, stay tuned for our roundup of the best accessories available.