Security experts have issued a warning about a peculiar bug that may be affecting your Apple Podcasts app, suggesting it could be haunted.

      Is Apple Podcasts acting strangely? You’re not the only one, and here’s what it means for you.

      If your iPhone or Mac seems to be malfunctioning – particularly if the Apple Podcasts app is spontaneously opening to play unfamiliar shows – you’re not imagining things.

      Many users have been reporting this issue for several months. One moment, their device is sitting idle; the next, the Podcasts app launches by itself and queues up random, obscure shows. These aren’t popular hits; instead, they are often odd religious sermons, silent audio files, or shows with nonsensical titles.

      Ghost Podcasts and Auto-Launches

      Security researcher Patrick Wardle investigated this issue and uncovered a troubling fact: a website can trigger your Podcasts app to open and load any show that the website owner desires, all without your consent. On a Mac, most applications request permission before launching from a web link (as Zoom does), but it appears that Podcasts bypasses this safety precaution.

      Even more concerning? Some of these “ghost” podcasts include links in their descriptions that attempt to execute harmful code (known as XSS attacks) or redirect you to fraudulent websites.

      Why It Matters: Security Blind Spots

      The truly alarming aspect isn't the strange podcasts themselves, but rather how they are being accessed.

      The ability for an external party to remotely activate an app on your phone or laptop to display specific content without any interaction from you is a significant security concern. Wardle emphasizes that this isn’t a complete “hack” of your device yet, but it opens a door that should not exist. It essentially converts the Podcasts app into a conduit for scams or malware.

      Consider it similar to the former “Google Calendar spam” problem, where random events would infiltrate your calendar with dubious links. This is the same idea, but it’s occurring in an application that you likely trust completely. If attackers exploit a deeper vulnerability in the app’s code, they could leverage this auto-launch feature to cause serious harm.

      What’s Next: Will Apple Address This?

      Here’s the frustrating part: Apple has remained silent. Despite this issue being ongoing for months and researchers raising alarms, there has been no public acknowledgment or fix issued thus far.

      Security experts believe that malicious actors are currently “probing” the system – essentially testing the boundaries to determine what they might exploit. Until Apple resolves this vulnerability, exercise caution. If your Podcasts app opens unexpectedly, resist the urge to investigate. Close it immediately and absolutely avoid clicking any links in those strange show descriptions.

      Moinak Pal has been working in the technology field, covering both consumer-focused tech and automotive technology.

      Disney warns that its dispute with YouTube TV may last for some time.

      The ongoing conflict has left millions of subscribers without access to ESPN, ABC, and other major channels, costing Disney tens of millions in losses.

      What’s happening? Disney's distribution conflict with YouTube TV is likely to continue, which means subscribers of the streaming service may remain without access to popular networks for an extended period. Disney’s channels, including ABC, ESPN, and National Geographic, went offline on YouTube TV over two weeks ago due to the failure of the companies to reach a carriage agreement.

      Your Disney+ experience is set to become much more interactive.

      Bob Iger has confirmed a significant overhaul of Disney+, introducing AI and interactive content.

      What occurred: It appears that Disney intends to completely revamp Disney+, marking perhaps the most substantial update since its initial launch. The significant new initiative? Making it interactive. CEO Bob Iger recently announced during the company's Q4 earnings call that they will begin integrating AI-driven, user-created short videos. (Yes, that’s correct.) Additionally, game-like features will be introduced due to the company’s partnership with Epic Games.

      Disney channels are finally back on YouTube TV.

      Your Sunday football routine is restored with Disney channels on YouTube TV.

      What happened: You can finally breathe easy. After over two weeks of the frustrating blackout, Disney and YouTube TV have finally resolved their differences. Your channels are back—ESPN, ABC, FX, Nat Geo... all of it.