JAKARTA - Apple has just released the iOS 16.2 version of Release Candidate (RC) for developers, and is scheduled to roll out to all iPhone users next week. At the same time, Apple also presents a 10-minute AirDrop limit on the Everyone option.
Last month, Apple made changes to iPhone users in China for iOS 16.1.1 and iOS 16.2 beta 2, where the Everyone's option on AirDrop can only be activated for 10 minutes.
After that 10-minute period passes, the AirDrop arrangement will turn back into Only Contacts. It all started when protesters in China had used AirDrop to spread posters and other content against Chinese President Xi Jinping and his government.
The Chinese government is believed to have submitted a request for the change to Apple, and the company complied with the request.
At the time, Apple also said it would expand restrictions for this AirDrop globally from 2023. However, the company appears to have accelerated this timeline. Starting with the new version of iOS 16.2 of the RC restrictions on the Everyone's option for AirDrop are now being implemented globally.
This means that launching 9to5Mac, Friday, December 9, users can no longer activate AirDrop as long as possible for the All People option. On the other hand, the option can only be activated for 10 minutes once.
AirDrop allows users to exchange files quickly such as images, documents, and videos between Apple devices. This is not the first time Apple has made concessions to the Chinese government.
In 2019, Apple hid Taiwanese flag emojis for users in Hong Kong or Macau, removed apps for virtual private networks or VPNs, and restricted Apple services in the country, such as Apple TV+, iTunes Store, paid podcasts, Apple Books, and Apple Arkade.
iOS 16.2 with limited AirDrop expected to be released next week alongside iPadOS 16.2, watchOS 9.2, tvOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1.
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