Apple has added a new privacy feature to ensure you know exactly when your phone is recording you.

The latest update can reassure users who think their iPhone might be listening through the microphone.

An orange dot at the upper right corner of an iPhone is a "warning" to alert Apple customers if their microphone or camera is being used.

With the new iOS 14 update, if the dot appears you can go into the Control Centre to see which app is using the microphone.

By going into your settings, you can also check the permissions of apps, and control which app can have access to the microphone or camera feature.

Apple said: "Privacy is a fundamental human right and at the core of everything we do.

"That’s why with iOS 14, we’re giving you more control over the data you share and more transparency into how it’s used.

"An indicator appears at the top of your screen whenever an app is using your microphone or camera. And in Control Center, you can see if an app has used them recently."

Another new update is the way location is shared with an app.

Instead of sharing your specific location, you now have the option to share the general area without giving away your exact address.

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This comes amid increasing privacy concerns, many Facebook users claim they have seen adverts for products they have been talking about out loud.

According to some users, they believe microphones are being used to listen in and create targeted adverts.

"Facebook does not use your phone’s microphone to inform ads or to change what you see in News Feed," a company spokesperson said.

"Some recent articles have suggested that we must be listening to people’s conversations in order to show them relevant ads. This is not true.

"We show ads based on people’s interests and other profile information – not what you’re talking out loud about.

"We only access your microphone if you have given our app permission and if you are actively using a specific feature that requires audio.

"This might include recording a video or using an optional feature we introduced two years ago to include music or other audio in your status updates."

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