The New York Post todays identifies a sickening new trend among subway-roving perverts: They’re using the iPhone AirDrop app to send photos of their junk to strap-holders on the same train.
Since more subway users using the MTA are carrying advanced iPhones and awareness of the AirDrop app has increased, local straphangers have started noticing a troubling trend first reported in London in 2015.
Britta Carlson, 28, was riding the uptown 6 train to a concert on July 27 when a mysterious message popped up on her smartphone.
“iPhone 1 would like to share a note with you,” read the note sent at 6:51 p.m. She hit “Accept” and was horrified by what she saw. “It was just a huge close-up picture of a disgusting penis,” said Carlson, of Bushwick, Brooklyn. The message was titled “Straw” and was sent by an anonymous stranger.
“It really felt like someone had actually just flashed me.”
Carlson clutched the phone to her chest and frantically scanned the subway car for the pervert but couldn’t place him.
Oh no, poor Britta!
How can YOU make sure you don’t become the next Britta?
Well: In order for people to send lewd photos, your iPhone must have its AirDrop setting on “Everyone,” instead of “Contacts Only” or “Receiving Off.”
The app uses “Contacts Only” as the default setting and doesn’t work with Androids or Windows phones. The victim must also be within Bluetooth range, which is approximately 328 feet.
The Post article notes that people often forget to switch the setting off from “Everyone,” or don’t realize they have turned it on.
So now you know. Don’t be a Britta. Being subway savvy is being subway safe!
(Photo via Pixabay — and thanx Alex for the emoji!)
