China to clamp down on AirDrop and Bluetooth file sharing for national security reasons

(CNN) — China’s cyberspace regulator plans to issue new rules restricting the use of wireless file-sharing features, such as Apple’s Bluetooth and AirDrop, on national security grounds.

The measure occurs after Protesters in China will use AirDrop during the anti-government protests in October 2022 to share content, bypassing strict internet censorship. Weeks later, Apple moved to limit the use of the AirDrop feature on devices in China.

The draft proposal was issued earlier this week by the China Cyberspace Administrationthe powerful Internet watchdog that reports to an institution headed by leader Xi Jinping.

The aim of the regulation is to “maintain national security and public social interests” by regulating the use of short-range wireless communication tools such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other technologies, the text says.

People should not post or share “illegal or harmful” information on such networks and should report violations to the regulator. Those who create or support such networks should require users to provide their real names and other personal information.

The draft says that service providers must conduct security assessments when launching new apps or features that are capable of “mobilizing the public” or allowing “public expression.”

The regulator is seeking public comment on the proposed rules until July 6.

In addition to AirDrop, Google’s Near Share allows users to transfer data between Android and Chrome OS devices over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Chinese phone makers Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo also offer similar services.

Last year, international media, including The New York Times and Vice World News, reported that some residents in China were using AirDrop to distribute leaflets and images echoing slogans used in a rare protest against Xi on October 13. On that day, before Xi secured an unprecedented third term, two banners were hung on a major thoroughfare flyover in northwest Beijing in protest against Xi’s zero-covid policy and authoritarian rule.

And in 2019, AirDrop, which is effective only over short distances, was particularly popular with anti-government protesters in Hong Kong who regularly used the feature to pass out colorful banners and artwork to subway passengers urging them to join the protests.

— CNN’s Stephen Jiang and Juliana Liu contributed to this report.