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OnePlus 8 Pro See Through Camera Filter Is Being Disabled

OnePlus says the Photocrom filter is only disappearing temporarily and apologizes for 'creating privacy concerns.'

 & Matthew Humphries Former Senior Editor

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Last week it was discovered that the infrared sensors on the OnePlus 8 Pro could be used to see through some thin black plastics and black fabrics. Now OnePlus is taking action in response to the discovery.

As Abacus News reports, the phone maker has decided to temporarily disable the Photocrom color filter in the Pro 8's camera app while an alternative version is worked on. OnePlus is clearly trying to figure out how it can offer the same filter, but without making black objects transparent.

As well as disabling the filter, OnePlus apologized using a statement posted in Chinese on Weibo. It explains how the company is sorry for, "creating privacy concerns and causing troubles for OnePlus users and other netizens." I have yet to hear of anyone being upset or concerned about the Photocrom filter, rather there's been mostly surprise and mild amusement at its very limited capabilities.

Infrared sensors are here to stay on smartphones, but phone manufacturers will be taking notice of what happened with the Pro 8 and the press it received. I doubt we'll see another handset released with this see through camera capability offered accidentally, at least, not without a jailbreak and custom camera app enabling it.

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About Our Expert

Matthew Humphries

Matthew Humphries

Former Senior Editor

My Experience

I started working at PCMag in November 2016, covering all areas of technology and video game news. Before that I spent nearly 15 years working at Geek.com as a writer and editor. I also spent the first six years after leaving university as a professional game designer working with Disney, Games Workshop, 20th Century Fox, and Vivendi.

I hold two degrees: a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Games Development. My first book, Make Your Own Pixel Art, is available from all good book shops.

My Areas of Expertise

  • PC components and system building
  • Raspberry Pi
  • Software development
  • Storage technology
  • Video games and gaming hardware

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