4 ms·

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.

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.