IN THE OLD DAYS, our idea of a flasher might have been a man in a trench coat. Nowadays, however, it could be anyone.

A ‘new’ crime, called cyber-flashing, has come to the attention of British police – and it involves nothing but a phone.

What even is ‘cyber-flashing’?

Shutterstock / Ljupco Smokovski Shutterstock / Ljupco Smokovski / Ljupco Smokovski

‘Cyber-flashing’ is the practice of sending random people nude photos over Apple’s AirDrop sharing function, which allows connects users to other iPhones in range through Bluetooth.

Does this actually happen?

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Yes, actually. Police are investigating a cyber-flashing incident in London in which a woman was sent two pictures of an unknown man’s penis on a train.

The woman told the BBC:

I declined the [first] image, instinctively, and another image appeared, at which point I realised someone nearby must be sending them, and that concerned me.

“I felt violated, it was a very unpleasant thing to have forced upon my screen,” she said.

How do I make sure no one cyber-flashes me?

Swipe up to reveal the grey control panel on your iPhone home screen, then tap ‘AirDrop’ – you should have the option then to change who can contact you from ‘Everyone to ‘contacts only’, or turn it off completely.

Congratulations! Now you don’t have to see any unwanted genitalia on your phone. Phew.

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