ISO 17 Name Drop might not be a good idea.

[digitalcuriosity]

If you installed the recent iOS 17 update, there is a new feature called 'NameDrop' which allows the sharing of your contact information by bringing your phone together with another one.

Several local law enforcement agencies like Dewey police expressed concern about the update.

They say this feature is on by default, so if you want to shut it off, go to Settings, tap General, then AirDrop, then 'Bringing Devices Together' and change it to off.


Police added that you should remember to do this on your children's phone too if you choose to.

While the feature is on by default, it should be noted that the user must manually approve any information that is given out and can choose to decline.

 

[Agent4797]

While the feature is on by default, it should be noted that the user must manually approve any information that is given out and can choose to decline.

So what's the issue?

 

[Sully]

I have my air drop limited to contacts only. Doesn’t that also apply to the feature? I’m not seeing the issue here either.

 

[CMoore515]

On by default, but only for Contacts IIRC... so..

Besides, in my experience you have to bring your phone within inches of the other phone.

AND the sender/sendee has to okay it.

 

[Fat_Guy]

Thanks, it’s now turned off. 👍

 

[NoBoMac]

Hot topic for today it seems. Seeing this “warning” all over the interwebs. And seems no one really looked into this “problem”.

To send your contact to someone via NameDrop, need to hit the big “Share“ button (and I’m assuming phone needs to be unlocked). There is no sneaky sharing going on. Heck, Airdrop and sharing has always been there and can be used to send this info to strangers, so not a new security hole.

Use NameDrop on iPhone to share your contact info

Use NameDrop on iPhone to share your contact info.

support.apple.com

Namedrop is a problem if you leave a phone lying around, unlocked, and unattended. And if that is the case, bad person can just go into the phone and do what one wants to get the info (Airdrop, reenable NameDrop, share sheets).

As for the other Airdrop settings, don’t think they apply to Namedrop.

 

[nightcap965]

There is a widespread hoax currently making the rounds on Facebook. People are claiming the warning is from their local police, which gives the misinformation greater weight and really ought to trouble local authorities.

 

[digitalcuriosity]

There is a widespread hoax currently making the rounds on Facebook. People are claiming the warning is from their local police, which gives the misinformation greater weight and really ought to trouble local authorities.

No matter where the info. came from, i feel everyone needs to know about it and take action to protect themselves.

 

[nightcap965]

It’s a HOAX! It’s misinformation. It’s a damned lie. The fact that clueless police officers are passing along a hoax doesn’t give it credibility.

 

[cateye]

i feel everyone needs to know about it and take action to protect themselves.

All you're doing is amplifying a social media meme that is long on unnecessary panic and short on actual information. Your heart's in the right place, but this is the real problem with IT security: Everyone wants to be the white knight, no one wants to think about what the actual risk is and to understand the chain of events that lead to an exploit or exposure.

 

[digitalcuriosity]

All you're doing is amplifying a social media meme that is long on unnecessary panic and short on actual information. Your heart's in the right place, but this is the real problem with IT security: Everyone wants to be the white knight, no one wants to think about what the actual risk is and to understand the chain of events that lead to an exploit or exposure.

My question is did you know about this included item in the new apple iPhones?
I see nothing wrong with posting the information if people want to change it to off it's their call right.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

My question is did you know about this included item in the new apple iPhones?
I see nothing wrong with posting the information if people want to change it to off it's their call right.

You mean like the article that was posted on the main page August 3...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ios-17-airdrop-features-namedrop-shareplay-and-proximity-sharing.2397690/?post=32359311#post-32359311

As others have pointed out, it's a non issue unless you are technically handicapped which isn't the case for 98% of the members of this forum..

 

[Fat_Guy]

Regardless, I don’t need it and it stays off.

 

[digitalcuriosity]

You mean like the article that was posted on the main page August 3...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ios-17-airdrop-features-namedrop-shareplay-and-proximity-sharing.2397690/?post=32359311#post-32359311

As others have pointed out, it's a non issue unless you are technically handicapped which isn't the case for 98% of the members of this forum..

You are so savvy thats great but many others are not, they are the people i wanted to warn.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

You are so savvy thats great but many others are not, they are the people i wanted to warn.

This is a tech forum.. Most people here know there way around Apple devices and keep up with tech news.. As the replies to your thread show, most know about namedrop and don't feel it's as big of a threat as you and Dewey PD make it out to be..

 

[BaldiMac]

You are so savvy thats great but many others are not, they are the people i wanted to warn.

So, you still haven't answered the main question. Why isn't it a good idea? What are the negatives in your mind?

 

[NoBoMac]

Moderator Note:

Moving discussion to news story.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/police-departments-and-news-sites-spreading-misinformation-about-how-ios-17-namedrop-feature-works.2412190/