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Dublin: 13 °C Friday 8 November, 2024

'Cyber-flashing' is a thing now - here's how to stop it happening to you

Another thing for us to worrying about, in other words.

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_132987854 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?

Free Image on Pixabay - Iphone, Smartphone, Desk, Mobile Pixabay Pixabay

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.

IMG_5829

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

How do Irish women put on their bra?>

An Essential Guide to Pre-Drinking Etiquette for Irish People>

Author
Valerie Loftus
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