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Might be useful: https://github.com/seemoo-lab/AirGuarg https://github.com/seemoo-lab/AirGuarg, a third-party Android app, can force an AirTag to make a sound e

by madars 5y ago

Might be useful: https://github.com/seemoo-lab/AirGuarg https://github.com/seemoo-lab/AirGuarg, a third-party Android app, can force an AirTag to make a sound even if Apple hasn't determined that tag has been following you (the BLE characteristic is unauthenticated: https://github.com/seemoo-lab/AirGuard/blob/main/app/src/main/java/de/seemoo/at_tracking_detection/util/ble/BluetoothLeService.kt#L234 https://github.com/seemoo-lab/AirGuard/blob/main/app/src/mai...) HN discussion: AirGuard: Protect yourself from being tracked by AirTags and Find My accessories (298 points, 150 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28577951 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28577951

BeefWellington 5y ago
This works assuming the speaker hasn't been compromised by a would-be stalker.
- madars 5y ago
  Yep. But there is also potential for civil disobedience / mischief there.
- Godel_unicode 5y ago
  There's already a thriving market in muted airtags, a quick ebay search will get you there.
  - LexGray 5y ago
    There would be the hazard that you can no longer say it was an accidental stalking if you use a professionally tampered with device. Given that there are a lot of iPhones out there even if your device doesn’t detect it your friend may ask what is up. Then law enforcement can use the AirTag serial number to track back to the account it is linked to.
milofeynman 5y ago
Seems like it could be humorous to walk around a crowded stadium with a loop forcing everyone's airtags to go off
commoner 5y ago
Fixed link: https://github.com/seemoo-lab/AirGuard https://github.com/seemoo-lab/AirGuard AirGuard is great. They optimized the app to the point that it doesn't even show up in my Android device's battery usage statistics anymore. It's a set and forget app that scans for AirTags in the background automatically, but also when you trigger a manual scan. It's free and open source. Apple's Tracker Detect app for Android (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apple.trackerdetect https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apple.trac...) doesn't have automatic scanning, and requires the user to open the app and tap the button to manually scan for AirTags. It also forces the user to wait 10 minutes before they can make the AirTag emit a sound. I'm glad that the Technical University of Darmstadt made a better solution and released the source code, too.
mikro2nd 5y ago
And if I don't have a phone at all...? (I don't have a phone at all.)

by madars 5y ago

BeefWellington 5y ago

This works assuming the speaker hasn't been compromised by a would-be stalker.

madars 5y ago
Yep. But there is also potential for civil disobedience / mischief there.
Godel_unicode 5y ago
There's already a thriving market in muted airtags, a quick ebay search will get you there.
- LexGray 5y ago
  There would be the hazard that you can no longer say it was an accidental stalking if you use a professionally tampered with device. Given that there are a lot of iPhones out there even if your device doesn’t detect it your friend may ask what is up. Then law enforcement can use the AirTag serial number to track back to the account it is linked to.

milofeynman 5y ago

Seems like it could be humorous to walk around a crowded stadium with a loop forcing everyone's airtags to go off

commoner 5y ago

Fixed link: https://github.com/seemoo-lab/AirGuard https://github.com/seemoo-lab/AirGuard AirGuard is great. They optimized the app to the point that it doesn't even show up in my Android device's battery usage statistics anymore. It's a set and forget app that scans for AirTags in the background automatically, but also when you trigger a manual scan. It's free and open source. Apple's Tracker Detect app for Android (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apple.trackerdetect https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apple.trac...) doesn't have automatic scanning, and requires the user to open the app and tap the button to manually scan for AirTags. It also forces the user to wait 10 minutes before they can make the AirTag emit a sound. I'm glad that the Technical University of Darmstadt made a better solution and released the source code, too.

mikro2nd 5y ago

And if I don't have a phone at all...? (I don't have a phone at all.)