Various law enforcement agencies across the country are cautioning individuals, particularly parents and guardians, regarding a privacy modification on the iPhone that may unintentionally permit users to disclose confidential information they wish to keep private.
As per reports from multiple states, the latest iOS17 update comprises a functionality that enables users to share contact details and images by simply holding two iPhones together.
This feature, known as NameDrop, can be activated by users who have installed the recent software update to iOS 17.
According to an Apple fact sheet, it is important to mention that NameDrop is specifically designed for sending new contact information and does not have the capability to update an existing contact. Over the weekend, various police departments, such as the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office in Michigan, the Watertown Connecticut Police Department, and the Middletown Division of Police in Ohio, took to Facebook to issue warnings to parents. These warnings advised parents to disable the NameDrop feature on their child’s iPhone.
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While the police departments acknowledge that NameDrop requires consent from users to receive and share contact information, and also provides the option to decline a request, they emphasize that many individuals fail to review their settings and fully comprehend the functionality of their phones.
Here’s what you need to know:
How does NameDrop works?
NameDrop is currently compatible with iOS 17, Apple Watches Ultra, and Apple Watch Series 7, as well as newer versions. By simply bringing the top ends of their iPhones close to each other, two iPhone users can conveniently exchange contact cards containing their email and phone number.
Upon initiating the transfer, a screen will display the user’s contact information and photo, offering the options to either “Receive Only” or “Share.” To cancel the transfer, users can either move their devices away from each other or lock their iPhones before the NameDrop process is completed. However, law enforcement officials have expressed concerns regarding the default setting of the feature, as declining a request is not as straightforward as clicking a “cancel” button, which is absent from the screen.
Consequently, users, particularly children or the elderly, who encounter this feature for the first time may unintentionally share their contact information or receive unsolicited information by mistakenly tapping on either of the available buttons. Apple assures users that there are safeguards in place to mitigate the risks associated with the NameDrop feature.
The likelihood of accidentally sharing personal details with a stranger passing by is minimal, as NameDrop necessitates both iPhones to have the latest software update and be held in close proximity to activate and sustain the feature during the sharing process. Furthermore, intentional sharing through NameDrop requires one user to tap “receive” while the other taps “share.” If both users select either the “Share” or “Receive Only” option, neither party will receive any information.
How to turn off NameDrop feature?
If you don’t want to risk any possible abuses of the feature, here’s how to turn it off:
- Go to Settings
- Tap General
- Tap AirDrop
- Toggle Bringing Devices Together to off
iPhone Company Owner
Steve Jobs
The establishment of Apple dates back to April 1, 1976, when it was founded as Apple Computer Company by Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs, and Ronald Wayne. Initially, the company aimed to develop and market the Apple I personal computer, which was the brainchild of Wozniak. In 1977, Jobs and Wozniak officially incorporated the company as Apple Computer, Inc. The release of their second computer, the Apple II, proved to be a massive success, becoming one of the first microcomputers to be mass-produced and gaining widespread popularity. In 1980, Apple went public, experiencing immediate financial prosperity.
In August 2018, Apple became the first publicly traded U.S. company to reach a value of over $1 trillion. Two years later, in August 2020, it reached $2 trillion, and in January 2022, it reached $3 trillion. By June 2023, its value was slightly above $3 trillion. Despite facing criticism for its labor practices, environmental practices, and business ethics, including anti-competitive practices and materials sourcing, Apple maintains a strong following and loyal customer base. It consistently ranks as one of the world’s most valuable brands.