AirTag – Convenient Item Or A Danger To Users?

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Security Risk? Here's How Apple Will Prevent AirTags from Stalking You

Imagine losing your keychain or wallet… a horror scenario for most of us: paying for new keys, having to block all your credit/-debit cards, applying for a new driver’s license and identification card and much more. Endless amount of work that we try to avoid at all costs. The MNC Apple Inc. came up with the AirTag, a device you can attach to any of your valuable items that you don’t want to get lost. Even if you just misplace your favorite camera, when you turn on the AirTag, you will be able to locate it with your iPhone. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? However, it brings some downsides with it, which can be dramatic in the long term. Anyone can attach it anywhere they like, in other words, in the worst case you can be stalked. Victims realize that an AirTag has been put in their purse or car late as the software notifies the iPhone, which is close to the tag, only hours later. Due to warnings deriving from police departments and media reports, Apple announced new updates to minimize the risk of these incidents.

  • First, Apple will introduce a notification that pops-up during the set-up stage which informs its customers that using the AirTag for any other purpose than tracking your own belongings, is illegal.
  • Second, Apple stated that it has been actively engaging with law enforcement on any AirTag-related requests it gets, and that it is able to share account data in response to a law enforcement request.
  • Furthermore, when iPhone users are near an unfamiliar AirTag, they will receive an alert on their phone and play a louder sound to find the device easier. In addition, the notification will come earlier and not hours later.
  • Fourth, your phone will mention “AirTag detected“. Previously, it would state “Unknown accessory detected“ even if it was just AirPods, making iPhone owners worried whether it could be an AirTag or not.
  • Lastly, when an unknown AirTag comes into range, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and iPhone 13 users will be able to utilize the precision-finding function to view both the direction and distance of the unknown AirTag, just as they do with their own AirTag devices.

The idea of an AirTag is good, if, of course, its purpose is not being misused. However, given that many incidents of stalking have been officially reported, Apple has to provide these updates. Considering that the company has not announced when the updated will be available, the question whether an AirTag should currently be bought regarding its safety measures, remains open.  

References:

Booth, C. (2022, February 28). AirTags are as dangerous as the society that surrounds them. TNW | Plugged. https://thenextweb.com/news/apple-airtags-danger-analysis

Perez, S. (2022, February 10). Apple to address AirTag stalking problem with upcoming features. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2022/02/10/apple-to-address-airtag-stalking-problem-with-upcoming-features/

2 thoughts on “AirTag – Convenient Item Or A Danger To Users?

  1. Fidura Maria says:

    As someone who loses everything all the time, I must say that the AirTag seems like a dream innovation. However, I heard many stories of people sharing their experiences of being stalked, and it’s extremely scary. So although I lose things all the time, I think I prefer to just deal with it, than put my life in danger. Maybe in the near future, Apple will introduce more safety regulations. In that case, I might get an AirTag. I guess time will tell.

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