3 ms·

The impression most people have is that this is highly available, small, easy to use, cheap, and there is plausible deniability in the intention of purchasing o

The impression most people have is that this is highly available, small, easy to use, cheap, and there is plausible deniability in the intention of purchasing one. Now, there may be other solutions with some or all of those qualities to varying degrees, but the simple fact that the impression is popular necessarily means that it will see usage in cases where the perpetrator would otherwise not have committed the act. In other words, "this isn't new technology" is a true but not terribly relevant sentiment.

oneplane 5y ago
It is indeed an impression problem. Doing this with LoRa for a lower price has been possible for a very long time and you don't even need a large network for that due to the significant range. Basic triangulation built in to friendly software using existing radios and then simply getting closer with a hand-held transceiver isn't exactly hardcore hacking either. And with the low entry cost and non-detectability by practically any target it's a way worse issue than AirTags or Tiles could ever be.
- RF_Savage 5y ago
  AirTags are trivial to use and have an extensive tracking network in the form of every iDevice. Custom or semi-custom battery powered LoRa trackers have lesser batteryluve, are bulkier and much harder to get and deploy. Basic triangulation is easy-ish, but requires multiple sites or a moving site to work toany degree. And those sites need to hear the tracking beacon.
  - oneplane 5y ago
    What I was writing about isn't theory, but is used in the form of pet and wildlife trackers. Networks already exist. Most of the older ones are usable as well using UHF trackers. None of this is new, it's just that 'the bad guys' mostly get caught using bulky SMS-based GPS location transmitters and now AirTags.
  - katbyte 5y ago
    Go on Amazon and search for 4g gps tracker. Cheap, small, easy, cellular connected gps units with no way for anyone to detect them, unlike an AirTag.
ghaff 5y ago
What is probably true, at least based on the few anecdotal stories that have made the rounds, is that the introduction of AirTags may well have planted the thought in some people that "Oh, it's pretty easy to track someone/something with this cheap device." One can also imagine people making up stories (not saying that's the case here though it's very possible) and people planting a tracker for the lulz to see what would happen.

oneplane 5y ago

It is indeed an impression problem. Doing this with LoRa for a lower price has been possible for a very long time and you don't even need a large network for that due to the significant range. Basic triangulation built in to friendly software using existing radios and then simply getting closer with a hand-held transceiver isn't exactly hardcore hacking either. And with the low entry cost and non-detectability by practically any target it's a way worse issue than AirTags or Tiles could ever be.

RF_Savage 5y ago
AirTags are trivial to use and have an extensive tracking network in the form of every iDevice. Custom or semi-custom battery powered LoRa trackers have lesser batteryluve, are bulkier and much harder to get and deploy. Basic triangulation is easy-ish, but requires multiple sites or a moving site to work toany degree. And those sites need to hear the tracking beacon.
- oneplane 5y ago
  What I was writing about isn't theory, but is used in the form of pet and wildlife trackers. Networks already exist. Most of the older ones are usable as well using UHF trackers. None of this is new, it's just that 'the bad guys' mostly get caught using bulky SMS-based GPS location transmitters and now AirTags.
- katbyte 5y ago
  Go on Amazon and search for 4g gps tracker. Cheap, small, easy, cellular connected gps units with no way for anyone to detect them, unlike an AirTag.

ghaff 5y ago

What is probably true, at least based on the few anecdotal stories that have made the rounds, is that the introduction of AirTags may well have planted the thought in some people that "Oh, it's pretty easy to track someone/something with this cheap device." One can also imagine people making up stories (not saying that's the case here though it's very possible) and people planting a tracker for the lulz to see what would happen.