Police issue warnings: NameDrop on iPhones raises alarms

Owners of Apple smartphones equipped with iOS 17 have access to a function facilitating seamless contact sharing. Aptly named NameDrop, the process on iPhones is quite handy. However, it comes with potential security threats that have prompted police warning.

The NameDrop feature in iPhones running on iOS 17 facilitates the exchange of contact information between two Apple devices. The process to share contacts is straightforward, somewhat reminiscent of the times when data was shared via infrared.

To exploit the NameDrop function, simply place two iPhones in proximity, select the contacts you wish to share, confirm the process on both devices, and you're done. Though it might appear to be a safe and convenient method, it has sparked concerns for the Ohio police, particularly for parents whose children own Apple smartphones.

As reported by Phone Arena, the police in Middleton, Ohio, are advising parents to deactivate this function on their children's devices to avoid the unduly easy sharing of sensitive data such as phone numbers, email addresses, or names.

To turn off this function, simply navigate to the device settings. In the general section, proceed to the AirDrop tab and within the device connection menu, find and disable NameDrop.

Similar warnings are being issued by other police forces in the United States. Considering the activity involved in sharing contacts through NameDrop, it might seem difficult for data theft to occur. Nonetheless, there could have been scenarios where users, not fully aware of their actions, unintentionally shared pertinent data with unauthorized parties.

Given these concerns, it's wise to heed these police warnings and disable the NameDrop function, especially for individuals who aren't fully familiar with cybersecurity practices.