Apple has placed restrictions on its iPhones sold in China to share files between devices, a feature that could potentially be used to circumvent censorship and spread information considered hostile or critical of power.
An iPhone’s AirDrop feature allows unlimited sharing of all types of content, including photos and videos, to a nearby Apple device.
Messages transmitted without censorship
As of Wednesday, November 9, an update on the US group’s phones sold in China automatically disables this feature after 10 minutes.
This restriction greatly reduces the probability of unexpectedly receiving files from strangers.
The AirDrop feature could previously be used to transmit messages considered confidential and protected from censorship.
In particular, it has been used in public places to broadcast slogans critical of the ruling Communist Party, following a rare demonstration in Beijing last month.
Banners hostile to President Xi Jinping were then hung briefly on a bridge in the capital just before a Communist Party congress.
Significantly reduce harassment from strangers
This gesture of defiance was surprising in a city then traversed by security forces and equipped with countless surveillance cameras.
Apple did not immediately respond to an AFP request for an explanation.
Brand products sold outside of China do not appear to be affected by these restrictions in the latest iOS 16.1.1 update.
Some netizens greeted on Thursday, November 10 on the Weibo social network a positive measure aimed at “significantly reducing” the “harassment” of strangers. Others mocked the CEO of Apple.
China closely monitors its internet. Censors remove content that presents state politics in a negative light or is likely to spark a riot.
Many foreign media sites are also not available without the use of VPN-type circumvention software.
In 2017, the American giant was heavily criticized for having removed this software from its application store in China, at the request of the authorities.
Source: BFM TV
