(WBBM NEWSRADIO) - You may have heard warnings that your iPhone might automatically download your contacts into other iPhones. One suburban police department says don't worry, have a Snickers.
Bartlett Police Chief Geoffrey Pretkelis said they've gotten a lot of response about their Facebook post regarding concerns about an iPhone update.
“We appreciate all the support that we get from the community and our followers on social media,” Pretkelis said. “We like to just put a different spin to our messaging out there.”
Apple's latest iOS 17 update for iPhones includes a feature called "NameDrop" that allows contact information from one iPhone or iWatch to easily be shared with another person's iPhone or iWatch close.
The information is transferred by holding the display of one phone a few centimeters from another phone. It then triggers the NameDrop menu.
Apple notes that NameDrop only works for new contact information, not existing contact information. It can be disabled in your general settings.
However, the new feature has raised concerns from law enforcement around the country.
Bartlett Police said they share people's concerns but said the feature can easily be turned off.
“We just kind of did some research on that and realized that wasn’t necessarily the case, so we just thought we would do it in a fun, Bartlett way of letting our readers know: There is this update out there. They need to be aware of what the update is and make that choice whether they want it as a default setting or not,” Pretkelis said.
Pretkelis said being humorous, the post also references Def Leppard and G.I. Joe - is good policing.
“That’s what people need right now. They just need to know valuable information that’s going to be helpful to them but also in a way that will brighten up their day, especially in the morning when they’re having their cup of coffee,” Pretkelis said.
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