Oakland County Sheriff's Office Cautions About Apple IPhone System Update
Oakland County Sheriff's Office cautions about Apple iPhone system update after Apple recently released its annual operating system update, bringing a mix of refinements to existing features and the introduction of new ones.
Author:Daniel BarrettNov 28, 202312513 Shares176236 Views
Oakland County Sheriff's Office cautions about Apple iPhone system updateafter Apple recently released its annual operating systemupdate, bringing a mix of refinements to existing features and the introduction of new ones. However, with the launch of iOS 17, various law enforcement agencies, including the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, are cautioning residents to disable a particular new feature in order to safeguard their privacy.
The latest update includes a Check-In feature that notifies others when you've reached your destination, customizable and shareable contact cards, and a standby mode that transforms your phone into a clock. Alongside these additions, the update also includes enhancements to familiar features such as FaceTime, voicemail, autocorrect, and AirDrop.
One notable addition is the NameDrop feature, which allows users to easily share their contact details with others. Despite these innovations, concerns about privacy have led law enforcement agencies to advise users to exercise caution and potentially disable certain features for added security.
Simply position the phones in close proximity to each other and observe as they establish a connection. Watch as the screens respond, and then the other person's details appear. At this point, you have the option to either solely receive their information or reciprocate by sharing yours.
It's important to note that the update sets this feature to "on" by default after the update process is completed. If you encounter any issues with the feature or can't find the "Bringing Devices Together" option in your settings, ensure that both devices are running iOS 17 or a later version.
Despite the convenience of the NameDrop feature, law enforcement agencies, including the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, strongly advise against its use due to privacy concerns.
It's worth noting that for NameDrop to function, the participating phones need to be in very close proximity, minimizing the risk of accidentally sharing details with strangers.
To deactivate this setting, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings
- Tap General
- Select AirDrop
- Toggle the "Bringing Devices Together" option to off
"Don’t forget to change these settings after the update on your children’s phones as well," a newsrelease from the agency says.
According to Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough, this recent recommendation "may be easily overlooked or misunderstood, especially by elderly individuals, children, or other vulnerable individuals."
Conclusion
"Please keep in mind that there is no way for anyone to get your information without you physically tapping the 'ACCEPT' prompt," a news release from the county says.
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