Apple limits iPhone file-sharing tool used for protests in China

The AirDrop feature has been controversial since its iPhone debut with iOS 7 in 2013, as it’s also been used inappropriately in settings outside of China. — AFP

Apple Inc has limited the AirDrop wireless file-sharing feature on iPhones in China after the mechanism was used by protesters to spread images to other iPhone owners.

AirDrop allows the quick exchange of files like images, documents or videos between Apple devices. The latest version – iOS 16.1.1, released Nov 9 – caps the window in which users can receive files from non-contacts at 10 minutes. The previous options didn’t limit the time involved. Users could choose to get files from everyone, no one or just their contacts.