Archive — US — techcrunch
Apple’s Hide My Email feature has a bug that’s been exposing real emailaddresses, researcher claims
A bug in Apple's Hide My Email feature exposes users' real email addresses, as reported by researcher Tyler Murphy. After warning Apple over a year ago, Murphy confirmed that 100% of tested disposable addresses were vulnerable. Apple's previous privacy issues raise concerns about its commitment to user privacy.
Key points
- Hide My Email allows users to mask their real email addresses.
- A bug allows users' real email addresses to be exposed.
- The bug was reported by researcher Tyler Murphy from 404 Media.
- Murphy warned Apple about the bug over a year ago.
- Testing showed that all tested addresses were vulnerable.
- Publicly accessible sites can link emails to personal information.
- Previous incidents include a 2022 lawsuit for unauthorized data sharing and a 2023 privacy feature flaw.
Why it matters
- Growing concerns about digital privacy tools amid increasing data breaches.
- 2025 IT Trends indicate a shift towards unfettered privacy technologies and blockchain for data security.
- Historical scrutiny of Apple’s privacy claims, juxtaposed with competitors enhancing privacy.
As Apple faces scrutiny for the Hide My Email bug, it must act swiftly to restore confidence in its privacy features, which are integral to its brand identity and user trust.