{"id":34980,"date":"2022-02-10T21:20:46","date_gmt":"2022-02-11T02:20:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/?p=34980"},"modified":"2022-07-06T14:18:54","modified_gmt":"2022-07-06T18:18:54","slug":"airtag-updates-to-address-unwanted-tracking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/2022\/02\/10\/airtag-updates-to-address-unwanted-tracking\/","title":{"rendered":"AirTag Updates to Address Unwanted Tracking"},"content":{"rendered":"

Apple<\/a> (Hacker News<\/a>):<\/p>\n

In an upcoming software update, every user setting up their AirTag for the first time will see a message that clearly states that AirTag is meant to track their own belongings, that using AirTag to track people without consent is a crime in many regions around the world, that AirTag is designed to be detected by victims, and that law enforcement can request identifying information about the owner of the AirTag.<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

We’ve heard from users who have reported receiving an “Unknown Accessory Detected” alert. We’ve confirmed this alert will not display if an AirTag is detected near you — only AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or a third-party Find My network accessory. In the same software update, we will be updating the alert users receive to indicate that AirPods have been traveling with them instead of an “Unknown Accessory.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

Juli Clover<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

While these are the immediate changes that Apple is making, Apple is also working on new safety features set to be implemented later this year. Precision Finding, improved display alerts, and louder sounds will make AirTags more difficult to use for people-tracking purposes.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Nick Heer<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

But all of these software changes are, necessarily, iOS software updates. The sole recourse available for Android users is downloading the Tracker Detect<\/a> app — which has apparently been installed over a hundred thousand times since it launched in mid-December — and manually scanning for AirTags every so often.<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

Even in the U.S., where iOS is the market share leader, Android still represents 47%<\/a> of smartphone users. That represents tens of millions of people in the U.S. alone who are vulnerable to being tracked by an AirTag to a precise degree, thanks to iOS’ large market share. What about them?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

John Gruber<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

The same features that help prevent AirTags from being used to stalk people without their knowing could also alert a thief that whatever it is they’ve stolen has an AirTag attached. There’s no way for AirTags to serve both purposes, so Apple is increasing the protections against unwanted tracking, and emphasizing that AirTags are solely intended for finding your own lost<\/em> items.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Previously:<\/p>\n