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She got a notification within 2 hours and disabled the device. Sounds like the protections worked as intended, and thanks to Apple she was alerted to the fact t

by dymk 4y ago

She got a notification within 2 hours and disabled the device. Sounds like the protections worked as intended, and thanks to Apple she was alerted to the fact that somebody was stalking her. Let's consider the alternative of a world where AirTags didn't exist: The stalker probably would have followed her around for 2 hours, and she likely wouldn't have found out until a physical confrontation.

ehutch79 4y ago
also, airtags arn't the only, and nowhere near the first, device that does this. not to excuse apple, but this isn't a new or unique problem.
- fomine3 4y ago
  AirTag isn't the first device, but it's the first device with very wide coverage, so it could be the first usable device.
- crusty 4y ago
  Perhaps the first nearly disposable device. Can a stalker rig a GPS device to your car to follow you, FBI-style? Sure, but setting that up is pretty involved and maintaining the service adds a cost for the wannabe-stalker. Using Apple's system is just the cost of the tags themselves. Mr. Stalker (or worse) need not be so discerning about his targets. In the car of a celebrity like this, I wouldn't be surprised if Paps are trying to use these. Some things Apple seems to have not done: Allow for reporting as stalking. Why not, upon deactivation, ask where it was found? In my car/in my purse or on my person. Apple knows the account the tag is associated with, why not provide that info to the person being tracked? To differentiate between stalking and accidental loss or coincidental tracking, enable an approved list. If I'm tracking my car, have all the known drivers manually scan for and approve the tag or approve it when they are alerted to being tracked. Then if an approved device is present, don't register reports from non-approved devices. And if potential stalking is reported, disable AirTag use for the account at a minimum until it gets cleared up or doesn't. Maybe this is a repeat offender that law enforcement needs to address. Apple would have the data. Apple is really doing the bare minimum to keep a lid on complaints IMO. The corporate balance between doing nothing and being called out for it and potentially being held liable when someone uses the system to assault someone else and actually making it safe, thus highlighting the myriad ways in which it's so very unsafe and ending up with too many people wondering if it's risks outway it's benefits.
crusty 4y ago
>Let's consider the alternative of a world where AirTags didn't exist: The stalker probably would have followed her around for 2 hours, and she likely wouldn't have found out until a physical confrontation. With gymnastics skills like that it should have been you getting a from the president this week. Really though, AirTags are another till for stalkers and Apple alerting her after 2 hours didn't prevent someone from physically following and eventually confronting her. And the digital stalker knows the potential limits of a system, so they know if their target is an iOS user, their worst case scenario is they have 2 hours for whatever situation they are looking for to arise, whether that's secluded isolation or what-have-you. And if the target is not an iOS user, you know, some people clearly don't value their own lives, so why should anyone else.
- crusty 4y ago
  Edit: the 'gold medal' emoji for stripped from "getting a * from the president"
yencabulator 4y ago
Her stalker now knows where she lives. "Protections worked as intended" comes across very Apple apologist.
- crusty 4y ago
  In THIS case the article mentions she reports feeling lucky she discovered it before leaving the park. But that's pure coincidence, and I otherwise fully agree with your sentiment.

by dymk 4y ago

ehutch79 4y ago

also, airtags arn't the only, and nowhere near the first, device that does this. not to excuse apple, but this isn't a new or unique problem.

fomine3 4y ago
AirTag isn't the first device, but it's the first device with very wide coverage, so it could be the first usable device.
crusty 4y ago
Perhaps the first nearly disposable device. Can a stalker rig a GPS device to your car to follow you, FBI-style? Sure, but setting that up is pretty involved and maintaining the service adds a cost for the wannabe-stalker. Using Apple's system is just the cost of the tags themselves. Mr. Stalker (or worse) need not be so discerning about his targets. In the car of a celebrity like this, I wouldn't be surprised if Paps are trying to use these. Some things Apple seems to have not done: Allow for reporting as stalking. Why not, upon deactivation, ask where it was found? In my car/in my purse or on my person. Apple knows the account the tag is associated with, why not provide that info to the person being tracked? To differentiate between stalking and accidental loss or coincidental tracking, enable an approved list. If I'm tracking my car, have all the known drivers manually scan for and approve the tag or approve it when they are alerted to being tracked. Then if an approved device is present, don't register reports from non-approved devices. And if potential stalking is reported, disable AirTag use for the account at a minimum until it gets cleared up or doesn't. Maybe this is a repeat offender that law enforcement needs to address. Apple would have the data. Apple is really doing the bare minimum to keep a lid on complaints IMO. The corporate balance between doing nothing and being called out for it and potentially being held liable when someone uses the system to assault someone else and actually making it safe, thus highlighting the myriad ways in which it's so very unsafe and ending up with too many people wondering if it's risks outway it's benefits.

crusty 4y ago

>Let's consider the alternative of a world where AirTags didn't exist: The stalker probably would have followed her around for 2 hours, and she likely wouldn't have found out until a physical confrontation. With gymnastics skills like that it should have been you getting a from the president this week. Really though, AirTags are another till for stalkers and Apple alerting her after 2 hours didn't prevent someone from physically following and eventually confronting her. And the digital stalker knows the potential limits of a system, so they know if their target is an iOS user, their worst case scenario is they have 2 hours for whatever situation they are looking for to arise, whether that's secluded isolation or what-have-you. And if the target is not an iOS user, you know, some people clearly don't value their own lives, so why should anyone else.

crusty 4y ago
Edit: the 'gold medal' emoji for stripped from "getting a * from the president"

yencabulator 4y ago

Her stalker now knows where she lives. "Protections worked as intended" comes across very Apple apologist.

crusty 4y ago
In THIS case the article mentions she reports feeling lucky she discovered it before leaving the park. But that's pure coincidence, and I otherwise fully agree with your sentiment.