Chinese tech company cracks encryption of Apple’s AirDrop

Chinese tech company Wangshendongjian Technology has successfully cracked the encryption protecting Apple’s AirDrop wireless file-sharing function, enabling them to identify users. The breakthrough came to light after the company assisted Beijing police in tracking down individuals who had used AirDrop to send ‘inappropriate information’ to passersby on the Beijing subway. Wangshendongjian Technology managed to identify the senders’ mobile phone numbers and email addresses during their investigation. Although the nature of the messages was not disclosed, several suspects were identified.

AirDrop has garnered attention in China for the nuisance messages received by commuters, as well as its reported use by protesters to disseminate anonymous messages critical of the Chinese government in late 2022.

It should be noted that AirDrop is an exclusive wireless file-sharing function for Apple devices. During the anti-government demonstrations in Hong Kong in 2019, it gained popularity among protesters who used it to distribute eye-catching posters and artwork to subway passengers, encouraging them to join the movement.

In response to incidents involving AirDrop, Apple introduced a measure in November 2022 to restrict AirDrop sharing with non-contacts in China, making it more difficult for users to share files with unknown individuals. This measure was later expanded globally.

Source: CNN