A Chinese tech company, Wangshendongjian Technology, claims to have breached Apple’s AirDrop encryption, aiding Beijing authorities in tracking down users spreading “inappropriate information” in the subway. The breakthrough revealed senders’ details, but the content remains undisclosed.
AirDrop faced criticism in China for nuisance messages and its alleged use by protesters against the government. The tech firm’s success is touted as overcoming “technical difficulties of anonymous traceability through AirDrop,” aiming to curb the spread of inappropriate content.
International media reported instances of residents using AirDrop to disseminate protest-related material. Apple, yet to respond, previously limited AirDrop sharing in China after protests against Xi Jinping in 2022, later expanding the restriction globally.
