Law enforcement warns of potential security risks with Apple's new NameDrop feature

Police departments across the country are warning Apple users about potential privacy concerns after a new iOS update.

The update includes a new feature called NameDrop. Apple on its website touts NameDrop as a way to “quickly share contact information with a nearby iPhone or Apple Watch.”

Apple said its users can touch iPhones together or bring them close to an Apple Watch until the NameDrop screen appears on both devices. People can then share their contact card and receive the other person’s.

The NameDrop can be canceled if the two devices move away from each other or if one of the devices is locked before the transfer is complete, according to Apple.

The feature has raised alarms with law enforcement agencies across the country that are concerned the new tool could be a security risk — particularly because the latest update turns NameDrop capabilities on as a default setting.

Jefferson Hills Police Department was one of several that took to social media to urge parents to change the settings on their children’s devices.

“Don’t forget to change these settings after the update on your children’s phones, also, to keep them safe as well,” the police department posted on Facebook Sunday.

Apple users can turn off the new feature through their device’s general settings. Under the AirDrop section of settings, people can toggle the Bringing Devices Together option on or off.

Fort Smith Police Department in Arizona warned on social media that the NameDrop feature “poses potential privacy risks as it allows devices to exchange contact details when in proximity.”

“Dangers include inadvertent sharing of personal information, leading to unauthorized access or data exposure,” the police department wrote. “It’s crucial to assess and control this feature to safeguard your privacy.”

As various law enforcement departments warn about the potential security problems, Forbes reported that the NameDrop feature “isn’t just going to throw your contact details at any passing person with an iPhone.” The phones have to be unlocked and touching, Forbes reported, and iPhone users on both devices have to give permission to share information.

Despite those safeguards, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office in Michigan still encouraged people to consider turning off the new feature.

“And yes, we know that it allows you to share it and you can refuse but many people do not check their settings and realize how their phone works,” their social media post added.