GENERAL ALERT: Children at Risk! Police CALL ATTENTION about new iOS 17 feature

The United States Police Department has issued a worrying warning about a new feature in iOS 17, the operating system for iPhones. Call of NameDropthis functionality promises to facilitate the exchange of information between users, but it also opens a loophole for possible scams and virtual crimes, putting the safety of children and teenagers at risk.

What is NameDrop?

According to Apple, the NameDrop is a feature that allows you to exchange contact data, such as name, phone number and date of birth, between two iOS 17 devices. To use this functionality, simply bring the top of the two iPhones together. Despite offering practicality when sharing information, the NameDrop exposes sensitive data, especially when it involves minors.

The risk for children and adolescents

The main reason for concern regarding NameDrop is the possibility of exposing the personal information of children and adolescents. This age group can be easily persuaded by malicious people to share their data without realizing the consequences.

An example of this is the report from parents and guardians on the Watertown Police Department page in Connecticut, who were unaware of the existence of NameDrop and did not know that this function is activated by default when installing iOS 17. This lack of knowledge increases even further plus the risk of exposing minors’ data.

Disabling NameDrop

Fortunately, it is possible to disable the exchange of information through NameDrop in the system settings. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
2. Tap “General”.
3. Then click “AirDrop”.
4. Disable the “Close devices” option, which will be marked with a green key.

This way, you prevent other people from sharing data with you through NameDrop. It is important to make children and teenagers aware of this function and instruct them to deactivate it to ensure their safety online.

Secure information sharing

Even with NameDrop activated, the device owner must tap “Share” for the data to be sent to the recipient. This additional layer of security can be useful, but it is not enough to completely protect children and young people from possible scams and cybercrimes.

It is essential that parents, guardians and educators talk to children and teenagers about the risks of sharing personal information on the internet. It is important to teach about the importance of online privacy and verifying people’s identities before sharing any data.

Digital safety for children and teenagers

In addition to disabling NameDrop, there are other measures that can be taken to ensure the digital safety of children and teenagers:

1. Establish clear rules regarding the use of electronic devices and the disclosure of personal information.
2. Use parental control applications to monitor and limit access to certain content and applications.
3. Encourage open dialogue about internet safety and the importance of reporting any suspicious situation to parents or guardians.

Stay up to date with security settings

Although iOS 17 brings several improvements and innovations, such as NameDrop, it is important to be aware of the risks involved and adopt security measures to protect children and teenagers. Disabling NameDrop and educating yourself about the importance of online privacy are key steps to ensuring a safe and responsible digital experience.

Always remember to be up to date with your device’s security settings and to educate children and teenagers about the dangers and necessary precautions when sharing personal information on the internet. The safety of children and young people is everyone’s responsibility.