Chinese Experts Crack Apple's AirDrop Encryption

Technique Used to Identify Users, Raising Concerns Over Privacy and Activist Communications

Chinese state-backed experts have reportedly cracked Apple's AirDrop encryption, allowing them to identify users who send content via the service. The Beijing municipal government's justice bureau stated that experts at the Beijing Wangshen Dongjian Justice Appraisal Institute had developed a method to reveal an iPhone's encrypted device log, from which they could identify an AirDrop user's phone number and email accounts.
The technique has reportedly been used to help police identify several suspects, although it is unclear if any arrests or convictions have resulted from this. The statement did not mention whether the technique had led to any arrests or convictions.
AirDrop has been used by activists in China to anonymously share messages and content that cannot be easily monitored. The service was widely used by participants in pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2019 and by people in China spreading digital leaflets critical of the government in 2022.
In response to these uses, Apple limited file-sharing for Chinese iPhone users in 2022, allowing users to only opt-in to receive files from unknown contacts during a 10-minute window before it automatically shuts off. This update made it virtually impossible to receive unexpected files from strangers.
Apple has faced criticism for perceived concessions to China's government. The company has not yet responded to requests for comment on the reported breach of AirDrop's encryption.