With iOS 16.2, Apple will apply a “Chinese” restriction to AirDrop for all users

Apple recently restricted the use of AirDrop in China. The wireless data feature that protesters used to share images was limited to a 10-minute interval, after which files could only be received from their contacts, not anyone nearby. The changes took effect with iOS 16.1.1.

But with the release of iOS 16.2, all users will receive such a limit. The rules will be the same – 10 minutes after turning on AirDrop, you will be able to receive a file only from people you know, whose contact is in the notebook.

In this way, Apple is trying to appease China (one of its largest markets and the producer of a significant percentage of the company’s products) and reduce the damage from criticism it has received for its tacit agreement with an authoritarian regime. By applying such a restriction to all users, the company will at least somehow be able to justify helping a despotic government suppress protests.

However, on the other hand, such a restriction will stop receiving unwanted images from perverts and pranksters who also use AirDrop in public places.