Stopping perverts who AirDrop explicit photos to strangers

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - For iPhone users, the AirDrop feature can be a great way to quickly share large files. But you can also receive a lot more than you bargained for if you find yourself the victim of cyber-flashing.

Cyber-flashing is a new phenomenon where people are sending inappropriate pictures through the feature. It has become so common that New York City lawmakers introduced a law in late November to make the act a crime.

Pedram Tabibi, a social media and privacy attorney, said that the law often doesn't keep up with technology. So something like this isn't technically a crime.

Councilman Joseph Borelli co-sponsored an anti-cyber-flashing bill. He wants law enforcement to have options available to them when this happens and the sender can be traced.

Tabibi said such a law could have unintended consequences but could act as a deterrent, too.

While the law would be difficult to enforce, violators would face a $1,000 fine or up to a year in jail.

Borelli acknowledged that AirDrop is a good service but he wants to stop people from sending unsolicited vulgar photos. He also wants to remind people to check their phone settings.

If you want to turn off this function in your iPhone, go to "General" in your settings, click "AirDrop," and then select "Contacts Only."