Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Shutting down the Crossfire: lessons on digitality from the short history of Apple AirDrop. |
| Authors: |
Salzano, Matthew1 matthew.salzano@stonybrook.edu, Pfister, Damien S.2 |
| Source: |
Critical Studies in Media Communication. Mar2026, Vol. 43 Issue 1, p1-18. 18p. |
| Subject Terms: |
*Censorship, Computer file sharing, Business & politics, Wireless communications |
| Company/Entity: |
Apple Inc. |
| Abstract: |
In 2011, Apple introduced AirDrop, enabling users to share files using a local wireless connection. Users eventually developed messaging strategies, dubbed AirDrop Crossfire, sending friendly memes or harassing images to unsuspecting users in public spaces. Ultimately, Apple faced political pressure from China and ended AirDrop Crossfire with an international feature change in December 2022. This essay situates AirDrop Crossfire as a proto-deliberative practice of refracted publics, navigating tensions between infrastructure and agency, interruption and flow, and weaponization and care. The democratic promise of refracted publics is tempered by these tensions and the confluence of state and corporate power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: |
Education Research Complete |
