tech

Social plague of 'AirDrop chikan' wiped out with simple change in iOS 13 update

11 Comments
By SoraNews24

For the past few months in Japan, the media has been covering a growing social problem of “AirDrop Chikan.” They are a revolutionary breed of chikan who utilize Apple’s AirDrop function to remotely send dirty pictures to any other Apple user within a several-meter radius in busy locations such as trains.

With AirDrop, a user is notified of the sending request by a thumbnail image of one of the pictures. This means that, even if unsolicited, users are exposed to whatever twisted image someone chooses to send.

Based on testimonies of arrested AirDrop Chikan, the main purpose is to get a kick out of the person’s reaction upon suddenly seeing a dirty photograph.

Of course, it’s relatively easy to turn off a phone’s ability to accept these requests from unknown devices, but many people don’t seem to fully understand it. This ensures that an AirDrop Chikan’s chances of finding victims in crowded places remains high.

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It had been a growing problem in Japan with no end in sight–that is, until Apple suddenly ended it. In their recent iOS13 update, Apple had stopped the thumbnail image from appearing on AirDrop send requests, greatly damaging an AirDrop Chikan’s ability to harass people.

▼ AirDrop sends request on iOS 12.

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▼ AirDrop sends request on iOS 13.

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Granted, the request will still arrive for people who have their settings on “Everyone” but they will have to take the plunge and tap “Accept” before getting exposed to whatever is on the other end.

However, that would be like opening emails from the Prince of Nigeria and discount Viagra dealers, in that you are voluntarily entering this shady world and should accept some of the blame for whatever happens as a result.

Readers of the news applauded this simple but effective solution.

“Oh, that’s a nice change.”

“Great way to stop those chikan.”

“I’m going to update right now!”

“I still can’t recommend updating to iOS13 as it’s still unstable, but this is a good addition.”

“Everyone should just turn off the ‘everyone’ setting instead.”

“Makes me wonder why it wasn’t like this from the start.”

The old thumbnail feature was a nice touch as it lets you know what was coming from who at a glance and also confirms whether it was a photo that you needed or already had.

Source: Twitter/IPA_anshin, My Game News Flash

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- Japanese man changed name of his iPhone to “Please send cat pictures” and it worked

-- Samsung, IOC deny asking iPhone carrying Olympic athletes to cover their Apple logos

-- Tokyo proposes new law cracking down on requests for teens to share nude selfies online

© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

11 Comments
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This is ridiculous. first, why do all those people have their wifi and bluetooth connections on. Second, why are their settings set to allow anyone to airdrop them.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

@Rocketpanda

Do not misconstrue my words. I am not victim blaming. But, they didn't have to wait for Apple to do something to rectify this issue. All you had to do was take 3 seconds and push 2 buttons on your screen.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

This is ridiculous. first, why do all those people have their wifi and bluetooth connections on. Second, why are their settings set to allow anyone to airdrop them.

yep

2 ( +4 / -2 )

When getting a new device always spend some time to tune it's settings.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

All you had to do was take 3 seconds and push 2 buttons on your screen.

Agreed, but many (most?) people dive in an out of wifi & bluetooth several times a day. It's an admittedly minor pain to have to switch these back on, but a pain nonetheless.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

rocketpandaToday 10:41 am JSTThis is ridiculous. first, why do all those people have their wifi and bluetooth connections on. Second, why are their settings set to allow anyone to airdrop them.

Ridiculous is being a pervert sending pictures in the first place. It is always the first comment that tends to victim blame.

This is solicitation at best and sexual harassment at the least. And people have a right to have their wifi free from this intrusive crap.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

JJ Jetplane there are too many people who have no idea and leave all their default settings in tact...granted Apple should at least set this to contacts only by default. its like all the "sent from my iPhone" signatures that people don't change in their email...so annoying

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I’ve sent unsolicited photos before. Not porn, but usually stuff that would get a kind of reaction out of people. That’s why they do it.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

This is ridiculous. first, why do all those people have their wifi and bluetooth connections on. Second, why are their settings set to allow anyone to airdrop them.

Ridiculous is being a pervert sending pictures in the first place. It is always the first comment that tends to victim blame.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

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