Late last month Apple updated its guidelines as regards devices being used for tracking and what to do if you suspect that you are indeed being tracked. While seemingly acknowledging the privacy problem with its own AirTags, it looks like more measures are needed.
“We’ve become aware that individuals can receive unwanted tracking alerts for benign reasons, such as when borrowing someone’s keys with an AirTag attached, or when traveling in a car with a family member’s AirPods left inside. We also have seen reports of bad actors attempting to misuse AirTag for malicious or criminal purposes,” the company highlighted in a press release.
It is why Apple this week provided an update as to some changes in the way that AirTags operate, specifically in scenarios when they are potentially being used for unwarranted tracking or stalking of people.
To that end, Apple says users will now be alerted sooner if there is an unknown AirTag travelling with them.
“Currently, iOS users receiving an unwanted tracking alert can play a sound to help them find the unknown AirTag. We will be adjusting the tone sequence to use more of the loudest tones to make an unknown AirTag more easily findable,” it explained as part of the new measures that will be implemented.
“When AirTag automatically emits a sound to alert anyone nearby of its presence and is detected moving with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, we will also display an alert on your device that you can then take action on, like playing a sound or using Precision Finding, if available. This will help in cases where the AirTag may be in a location where it is hard to hear, or if the AirTag speaker has been tampered with,” it added.
While this is a useful addition for those with Apple hardware, those using another brand of phone are left in the lurch.
As such, if you are using an Android device, we advise downloading the Tracker Detect app from the Play Store. It may not have the full set of features that the Apple ecosystem does, but will at least help flag any devices in the area that may be tracking you.
The full extent to which AirTags are being used to track and stalk is unknown, but is Apple has to go to these lengths, it may be time to reconsider these devices altogether.
