SALT LAKE CITY — Police departments across the United States are raising concerns over a potential safety issue stemming from the iPhone iOS 17.1 software update.
Many law enforcement agencies took to social media to warn about a feature called NameDrop, which, in reality, was announced by Apple back in June at their 2023 developer’s conference.
Additional coverage from Wired and USA Today debunked the claims made by police regarding the security risks associated with the NameDrop feature.
The NameDrop feature, an extension of AirDrop, was automatically enabled on all updated devices post the iOS update, including Apple Watches with the new 10.1 update.
It works by holding two devices close to each other, then prompting users to choose whether to “share” or “receive only” their contact information, or to exit the feature altogether.
Not emphasized in initial social media posts by police, completion of the NameDrop process cannot occur unless the iPhone user takes action.
A screenshot of the feature demonstration at Apple’s Worldwide Developer’s Conference in 2023. (Apple Inc. via YouTube)
An Apple spokesperson clarified that before a user can proceed with NameDrop, they need to ensure their device is unlocked as the feature does not work on locked devices.
Some social media posts by police have since been updated with further information and acknowledgment that their initial concern was based on safety precautions.
Users have the option to deactivate the NameDrop feature by going into “General Settings” and then “AirDrop,” where they can uncheck the “Bringing Devices Together” icon.
AirDrop settings on an Apple iPhone, showing the NameDrop feature activated. (KSL TV)
