Stay connected to your community and get the best experience with our Spectrum News app. Learn More
Continue in Browser
Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar, and weather alerts.
Please enter a valid zipcode.
Save
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The latest Apple update, iOS 17, has sparked some concern among users.
The new iOS 17 ‘Name Drop’ feature allows for the exchange of personal contact information between two phones when they touch. This feature is automatically enabled on all iPhone 15s when users update to iOS 17.
This feature is different from ‘Airdrop’ as it shares personal information with any phone that comes into contact with it, rather than selecting a nearby phone to share photos and information with. Cybersecurity experts suggest that this feature should be used with caution.
“It shows up with my dad’s information, like his photo, name, address, book information, and anything that he would have saved about himself,” said Rufus Mathew, a cybersecurity expert and graduate of Cedarville University. “This is a great feature for a young professional like me who loves going to networking events, but not so great if you are not aware that this feature is even on.”
While the feature can be useful in certain situations, it can also pose a security threat in everyday life. For example, a user could unknowingly swap information if they leave their phone in a public place, such as a mall or airport.
The Middletown Police Department issued a statement:
“As law enforcement officials, our priority is to ensure the safety and security of our community, particularly our most vulnerable members,” said Chief Dave Birk, the police chief. “With the recent release of the new iPhone 17 update called ‘Name Drop,’ we must raise awareness about this feature and its potential impact on the elderly, children, and other vulnerable individuals. We encourage everyone to make necessary adjustments to their settings to protect their own contact information and that of their loved ones. By staying informed and taking appropriate measures, we can collectively ensure the safety and privacy of our community.”
Mathew also highlighted that in the wrong hands, this new Apple feature could lead to someone stealing passwords and other personal information.
“When the phones talk to each other, the most important information about a person is your personal details that would be in an address book,” Mathew said. “This could potentially have information that could help compromise your password indirectly because the user now sees information that you could have used to create your password.”
iPhone users can disable the feature by going to their settings, clicking ‘General,’ and then ‘Airdrop.’ To turn off the ‘Name Drop’ feature, simply toggle off the ‘Bringing Devices Together’ option.
source