Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti is urging county residents to be cautious with a key feature in Apple’s latest update for its devices.
The new feature, known as NameDrop, allows users to quickly share contact information with a nearby Apple device simply by holding the devices next to each other. The feature was introduced in Apple’s iOS 17.1 update for iPhone and watchOS 10.1 for its Apple Watch on Oct. 24.
Since the feature was released, it has raised several data privacy concerns amongst Apple users and the law enforcement community. This has prompted law enforcements agencies nationwide, including the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, to remind users about security with their mobile devices.
“We just want to let people know that it’s there. If this concerns you, you can know how to disable it, because quite frankly, when you download it, it’s automatically available,” Filicetti said.
According to Apple, when two compatible devices are in close proximity, a prompt will appear on each device that confirms sharing contact information such as phone numbers and email addresses before it is transferred between devices.
When a device receives the latest software update, the NameDrop is turned on automatically. The feature can easily be shut off in the device’s settings app by going to the general section and clicking on the Air Drop Tab. A toggle switch that says “Bringing Devices Together” can then be changed to the “off” setting.
While the technology is not overtly harmful and can be a convenient resource, Filicetti said that the ease of access to an individual’s contacts and other sensitive information can raise some security concerns.
“Say you’re an individual that doesn’t lock your phone and then (someone) comes over near your phone when it’s unattended and they want the information, they can do it on your phone. There’s a capability there for somebody that has bad intent to get the information off of your phone,” he said.
While there haven’t been any reported issues related to NameDrop in Niagara County, Filicetti noted that it’s important to be vigilant and know what your technology is capable of.
“We’re not saying, ‘don’t use NameDrop,’ just understand there’s a risk with NameDrop, that people could get information off your phone if that was their intention.”
Any Niagara County resident who believes they have been a victim of a cyber crime can contact the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number, 716-438-3393.