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> This is news just because it's an Apple device being used for something that was already trivially possible. > GPS trackers designed to be magnet-attached to
by raydev 5y ago
> This is news just because it's an Apple device being used for something that was already trivially possible.
> GPS trackers designed to be magnet-attached to a car which report their location via cell signal cost ~$20 on Amazon. You then tend to need to pay for either a SIM card or a subscription to the device maker's service -- bringing you up to about the cost of an AirTag.
So you're saying Apple made it even more trivially possible. Not only does it cost the same, it now requires less effort.
- kemayo 5y agoI'm saying anyone who wanted to do this already could, and Apple's version is worse at being abusive than what they could already do. Sticking trackers onto the cars of people parked near bars isn't really a thing you do on a whim.
- madeofpalk 5y agoIn one way. In another way, the only way the tweet author knew was because Apple alerted them to the fact that they were being tracked. Other trackers would not do that. It seems Apple actively put effort into thwarting this kind of use.
- kadoban 5y agoThey did the bare minimum so that once in a while creepy stalkers will get noticed. Should we give them an award?
- drekk 5y agoNah, just recognize that the tech already was out there, for a lower cost, in a form factor that won't notify you you're being tailed This isn't a new thing and Apple takes steps that, for example, Tile doesn't to prevent their products from being used for nefarious purposes
- kadoban 5y agoI do recongnize that. Does only the first person selling a dangerous product deserve scorn? "X did it first!" is the excuse of a toddler. They've also made it easier than gps trackers (no sim card needed), probably safer for stalkers (does Apple have a way to report AirTags used for crime and/or find out who owns it?) and it's more effective than Tile. It also favors their own ecosystem, because only iphone owners get warned. (no I don't consider beeping enough, finding something that beeps intermittently is notoriously difficult).
- lazide 5y agoBeating up on Apple for making something LESS able to be abused and more transparent/understandable just seems disingenuous though? The difference in level of abuse for something that will actively draw attention to itself after some period of time vs something of the same cost that was previously widely available and was more subtle and would not, is pretty big. And it is in the favor of Apple not being abusive or favoring abuse.
- kadoban 5y agoSo if there exists anyone who does something slightly worse, everyone else gets a pass? Our prisons will be emptier at least.
- ConcernedCoder 5y agometa irony! The device that informed you that another device was tracking you is, of course, already tracking your every move.