A wave of panic has swept through TikTok as creators spread unfounded claims about iPhone's AirDrop feature supposedly enabling credit card theft. Multiple viral videos warn that strangers can steal financial information stored in Apple Wallet simply by walking past iPhone users with AirDrop enabled.
The viral videos, which have garnered thousands of views and comments, instruct users to immediately disable AirDrop and other iPhone features to protect their financial data. Some creators point to a "recent update" as the source of this alleged security flaw.
However, these alarming claims are completely false. AirDrop technology cannot be used to transfer credit card or payment information between devices. Such functionality would pose major security risks and serve little practical purpose for legitimate users.
The misinformation appears to stem from confusion about iPhone features like "Bringing Devices Together" and AirDrop's temporary "Everyone" receiving option. While these features enable convenient file sharing between Apple devices, they have strict security limitations.
Despite the widespread concern in TikTok comment sections, iPhone users can rest assured that their payment information remains secure. Apple implements robust security measures to protect sensitive financial data stored in Apple Wallet.
This incident highlights how quickly unverified claims can spread across social media platforms, often fueled by engagement-driven content that plays on users' security fears. While maintaining good digital security practices is wise, iPhone users need not worry about their credit cards being stolen through AirDrop.