Hi and welcome back to Talking Tech with Nolan! Today I will be talking about an Apple product that is relatively new but has been in the news lately for privacy concerns.
AirTags are Apple’s new accessory that help people find their lost belongings. It comes in a metal casing about the size of about a quarter and one can attach this device to backpacks, keys, purses, or anything else you might misplace. AirTags connect with any nearby Apple devices to locate itself anywhere in the world.
When you set up your AirTag, it is linked to your Apple ID and your phone number. If someone else finds your lost property with an AirTag attached, they will be able to look up who’s it is and hopefully return the lost item.
AirTags even have a feature called precision tracking that allows users to locate the exact location of the AirTag within 30 feet. MKBHD has a cool demo of this feature in his YouTube video(0:00-0:22) on AirTags. (Note: Most of the information from this post comes from the video) If you have an AirTag, you will no longer be tearing up a whole room to find something, but rather you phone will help you locate it immediately with ease.
AirTags come with a replaceable watch battery inside that needs to be replaced about once every year. They have barely been out a year, so I don’t think many people have ran into this issue just yet.
AirTags start at $29 for one, and you can get a four pack for $99. These are not cheap, but nothing Apple sells is cheap and there is great functionality for these little pucks.
Now all these features are well and good, but these devices have been linked to stalking lately. The Attorney General of both New York and Pennsylvania warned that these devices have been used for stalking and that doing such is a felony, according to CNET.
These devices are so small that someone can easily slip one in someone’s bag or pocket without them knowing and track their every move.
Apple has designed many features to combat this, which has minimized the issue, but not necessarily solved it. When an iPhone discovers an unknown AirTag that has been in close proximity for 10-15min, the iPhone gets an alert and the AirTag makes a sound. If you have an android device, you can download an app called Tracker Detector that does the same thing. Apple also has encrypted all its data transfer.
I think these features to reduce stalking are working and there are only a few stalking incidents surrounding these devices. I mean after all, I think if you really wanted to stalk someone, there are better ways than using an AirTag that has built in protection against stalking.
I want you opinion. Do you think you would ever get an AirTag? Do you have concerns with stalking?
Thanks for reading! Come back next time for another installment of Talking Tech with Nolan!
https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-launches-airtags-and-find-my-detector-app-for-android-in-effort-to-boost-privacy/
https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/us-state-officials-warn-about-airtag-stalking-danger/