Apple limited a crucial AirDrop function in China just weeks before protests
Summary
Protests in China have attracted international attention as the greatest challenge of President Xi Jinpings premiership and a major knock to the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) longstanding authority. AirDrop, which allows users to share content between Apple devices, has become an important tool in protestors efforts to circumvent authoritarian censorship regimes over recent years. However, it was limited earlier this month, when a Nov. 9 update to Apples global operating system, iOS 16.1.1, included an additional AirDrop feature applying only to iPhones sold in mainland China. The change was first noticed by Chinese readers of fan site 9to5Mac, as reported by Quartz, and doesnt currently apply to iPhone users in other countries. Still, while the unrest has been well-documented in the international press, coverage within China has been limited, and some have argued it could lead to a greater crackdown on dissent by authorities.
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