Forum Discussion
Somme1
May 06, 2021Brass Contributor
Why can't I join a meeting on iPhone without giving Teams access to scan my local network?
I tried to join a meeting today after updating my iPhone and now Teams won't let me join any meetings unless I give it access to scan my local network.
This is a gross breach of security... is Teams scanning local networks on corporate desktop computers as well?
- OvertechNCBrass ContributorFirst time I'm seeing this today on one of my customers' iPhone...I nearly fell off my chair when I read it needed LOCAL access to let my customer call people ON THE INTERNET!
Is there any technical reason at all, or is it yet another way of collecting precious marketing data?- DuShruikanCopper Contributor
OvertechNC Yep, started experiencing this myself as well this past week for the first time ever. I've had this app on my phone for a long time.
There's no technical reason, it's just that Microsoft is a garbage company who creates garbage software.
- Michael_KittrellCopper Contributor
Been using teams fine on my iphone for 6 months with LAN disabled. Today, 12.14.2023 randomly it now insists that it has to have access or I can't connect to my meetings. Turned wifi off at the phone level and it still insists it needs access. Turned wifi off on the phone, gave teams permission to use the local network and now I can access my meeting.
What BS and I agree with many others that this is an invasion of my privacy by feature locking the ability to access meetings behind local network access which is absolutely not necessary to access meetings.
- stevengsCopper Contributor
I fully agree that this seems to be a data collection attempt that should not be necessary.
Until this is corrected, I will only be attending meetings from my Iphone by dial-in, or after deactivating wifi.
- SjoerdVIron Contributor
MS has got to get their act together. The whole M365 ecosystem is being riddled with marketing/sales/data driven crap that most *paying* customer do not want. Requiring excessive permissions for Apps we are all trying hard to promote within our businesses, does not help *at all*. OnlyOffice, NextCloud, Owncloud, etc. are knocking at the door, just saying!
- ibaran335Copper ContributorI faced the same issue 2 weeks ago.
An interesting fact is that it doesn't look like the problem appearance is related to the iOS or the app update. There was neither iOS nor the MS Teams app update on my phone at least few days prior to the event: I have automatic updates disabled; and anyway the iOS and the app were up-to-date. And everything was working fine before - including calls (both incoming and outgoing) and meetings. Then suddenly the issue happened. E.g. like if the app downloaded and applied some policy file and started to enforce new permission request.
It's only outgoing calls what is affected.
* Incoming calls work fine
* When trying to join a meeting, pop-up regarding "Local Network" permissions is shown immediately
* When trying to call a user, the connection is actually established, we can hear each other for a second or so, and then the connection is automatically silently dropped (no pop-ups or something).
That proves that the app performs some weird stuff and that "Local Network" permissions are indeed unnecessary redundant ones. As already mentioned in this topic, "Local Network" in iOS - it is about discovery of devices in local network and it does not affect the app's ability to use Internet connection.
So it looks like either:
* The MS Teams iOS app or (unlikely) iOS itself has a bug which leads to this redundant request
* Or the app plays hostage with the user forcing him to accept redundant permissions in order to discover local network for unknown reason (excessive addiction to telemetry?)
The issue was reported to MS via the app (Profile icon->Settings->Help and feedback->Report an issue). No response or any reaction from them for passed 2 weeks. - EWoodrickIron ContributorLittle too much paranoia here. Teams needs access to the network so that it can connect to the server. It will also need access to your camera, microphone, and probably files.
- Aleksandar9Copper ContributorIts not about paranoia the teams app didn’t need access to local network before and should not need it in order to join a call!
- johnMDCCopper ContributorExactly. DO BETTER #microsoft. You are starting or trying to become #meta
- 2408q9uazlsBrass ContributorThat's not how it works. The *Local* Network permission means it has access to all the devices in your local network, in the same way that Netflix or Spotify does to stream the content from your phone to your TV. The fact this is a mandatory permission is suspicious to say the least and completely unacceptable for a business related app.
- janglissSteel ContributorThere are a number of features in the Teams clients to try improving location and device awareness with other such devices. For example, proximity join is such a feature that allows your device to detect Microsoft Teams Rooms and start a meeting in that room.
I am surprised it's a mandatory permission and breaks meetings, but it might be related to how Apple permissions work and how the app requests control. I've not done any dev work on Apple devices to fully understand.
- Somme1Brass Contributor
EWoodrick according to Apple:
"any app that wants to interact with devices on your [local] network must ask for permission the first time it tries to browse your local network....
If you don’t want to allow access, or if it’s not clear to you why the app needs access, you can tap Don’t Allow. The app can still use the internet ..."Now I don't know about you, but I can't see any need for Teams to know what other devices are on my local network (home or corporate networks) and denying that ability should not prevent you from connecting to a meeting.
- Aleksandar9Copper ContributorThis is a new problem that I just noticed today on my iPhone!
It is very very strange that in order to join a call on teams I need to give access to Local Network! This was not the case earlier!