Runa Sandvik
Remember the AirDrop “feature” that Apple pushed out *just* for iPhones sold in mainland China? Apple plans to make it a global “feature” next year. https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2022/11/30/apple-limited-a-crucial-airdrop-function-in-china-just-weeks-before-protests.html
Apple limited a crucial AirDrop function in China just weeks before protests

AirDrop has become an important tool in protestors' efforts to circumvent authoritarian censorship regimes over recent years.

CNBC
Dec 2, 2022 at 11:56amMastodon for iOS
Show threadLutz SchmittDec 2, 2022
@runasand censorship by making features unusable. 🤢 Will pick that up in a talk I guess.
Show threadplonkDec 2, 2022
@runasand tbf, if Apple wouldn't have rolled that out first in China, I'd have thought "great, that's a pretty neat attack surface reduction", given AWDL had a couple of bad vulnerabilities in the past. However, pushing it there first, I'm questioning the motivation. I'm curious if AirDrop is as a censorship-resistant peer-to-peer sneakernet elsewhere?
Show threadHenning von VogelsangDec 2, 2022
@runasand I understand that the reason why it was introduced in China and I agree that suppression of free thought or expression shouldn’t be promoted in favour of commercial interests. However, as a feature by itself – isn’t it a better security measure? Who wants to get files from anyone just about anytime? I may not be like everyone else, but I always used AirDrop to receive or send a specific file, when both parties had agreed upon it. Like an air-thumb drive.
Show threadKnut KarevollDec 2, 2022

@core_ @runasand

If someone is under survailance they might have AirDrop activated for long periods of time without accessing their phone in order to facilitate communications with others without being noticed. The concept is similar to a dead drop but moving and wireless. The option to only allow AirDrop for 10 minutes, or even just when screen is unlocked, is a good safety feature. But removing the option to enable it permanently is opressive.

Show threadNathan Freitas 🕺Dec 2, 2022
@runasand next up, only allow devices registered in your Apple account to use your hotspot, and then perhaps, only allow whitelisted Bluetooth devices from certified Apple partners... The possibilities for "safer" computing that limit what creative activities want to use technology for are endless!
Show threadNathan Freitas 🕺Dec 2, 2022
@runasand in a similar vein, Apple and Google are already increasing scrutiny of apps that use the VPN and Network Extension APIs, to make sure they confirm to what they think they should be used for... I would not be surprised if they decide that using it for Tor VPN does not meet their expectations at some point.