From Nasdaq:

A Chinese state-backed tech institute claims to have found a way to decrypt Apple’s AirDrop feature, allowing the government to identify phone numbers or email addresses of users. Wangshendongjian Technology was able to help police track down people who sent “inappropriate information” on the Beijing subway.

The company identified the senders’ mobile phone numbers and email addresses as part of an investigation following a complaint. AirDrop has been blamed for nuisance messages received by some commuters in Chinese cities.

AirDrop allows Apple users to transfer files among supported devices using close-range wireless communication. Wangshendongjian Technology “broke through the technical difficulties of anonymous traceability through AirDrop,” according to the Justice Bureau.

China has a long history of controlling internet services and mobile apps, but people turned to Apple’s AirDrop feature to get around censorship.

AirDrop was reportedly used in the 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, and in 2022, Chinese protestors again used AirDrop to spread awareness of protests and anti-Xi messages. Apple released iOS 16.1.1, which limited the ability to receive AirDropped images for phones sold in China.



Read more: China Claims It Has Cracked Apple’s AirDrop