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An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

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Re: An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

#441

Post by rekoil »

matteotom wrote: post #319
mtlynch wrote: post #315

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I was driving and we left without recognizing that a few hundred dollars of keys had been lost. What do you mean by "a few hundred dollars of keys?" Do hardware stores charge more than a few dollars per key in your area? Were these private keys to a crypto wallet?

If your car has a smart key, it can be over $100 to replace and another $100 to have a dealer or locksmith re-program it. Edit, more things that are expensive: - if you live in an apartment with nfc entry, they might charge an arm and a leg to replace it, even if the actual device is only a few dollars - IDK how much it costs to replace an apartment mailbox key, but I've been warned that if you lose one they need to…

- USB drives

- U2F authentication keys

- really expensive AirTag holders (https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMN73AM/A/airtag-herm%C3%...)

Re: An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

#442

Post by [deleted] »

estaseuropano wrote: post #378
simondotau wrote: post #338

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The notion of an umbrella lasting 20 years boggles my mind. I've never had one last more than 2–3 years and I don't use them much. I've looked for premium umbrellas before but every time I find one that isn't ridiculously priced, there's always a contingent of reviewers who insist that it fell apart in heavy wind or frequent use. Normally I buy $10 umbrellas from Australia's big hardware store chain. They aren't grea…

Like for many products there is an entire segment of the market that most people never even know exists. E.g. premium umbrellas that are made to last against wind and wear. I have this one, has so far lasted close to 10 years. https://www.senz.com/

[deleted]

Re: An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

#443

Post by mikro2nd »

madars wrote: post #181

Might be useful: https://github.com/seemoo-lab/AirGuarg , a third-party Android app, can force an AirTag to make a sound even if Apple hasn't determined that tag has been following you (the BLE characteristic is unauthenticated: https://github.com/seemoo-lab/AirGuard/blob/main/app/src/mai... ) HN discussion: AirGuard: Protect yourself from being tracked by AirTags and Find My accessories (298 points, 150 comments) ht…

And if I don't have a phone at all...? (I don't have a phone at all.)

Re: An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

#444

Post by theshrike79 »

Melatonic wrote: post #236
theshrike79 wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They can just install an app if they're worried about being tracked by AirTags: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apple.trac... Just remember to add the Tile app too, it does the same thing.

Wont run in the background though - you have to actively think to use it each time your worried about being stalked.

There are other apps that run on the background, that's just the official Apple one.

Re: An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

#445

Post by Xylakant »

xanaxagoras wrote: post #398
concinds wrote: post #119

Android users are still vulnerable, and these announcements do nothing to reduce that. All a stalker needs to do, is remove the speaker. To detect a rogue AirTag, an Android owner needs to: 1) know AirTags exist (many obviously don't) 2) go out of their way to install Apple's Android AirTag scanner app (only 100k-500k worldwide have done so according to Google Play stats) 3) manually open the scanner app and scan, si…

Apple's "Tracker Detect" Android app wants full network access and precise foreground location permissions. They expect me to consent to having my physical location tracked by Apple in order to avoid having my physical location tracked by someone other than Apple. Unbelievable.

Obviously, the app will need that access privilege to perform its task. Now, you’re in the bind: Do you trust apple to use these privileges on the device only - and not track you - or do you care about being tracked by others. Depends on your risk profile, I’d say.

Re: An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

#448

Post by ungamedplayer »

simondotau wrote: post #338
oxplot wrote: post #330

Earlier quoted context omitted.

$50-ish — but that's not the point. I value my belongings because I spend great deal of time researching and finding products that I love using day in day out (unlike most people who constantly curse at stuff they have). I also modify things I buy to fine tune it to my needs. So even a $50 umbrella is more like $1000 in terms of time I've spent on it and I have no intention of doing it again. This particular umbrella…

The notion of an umbrella lasting 20 years boggles my mind. I've never had one last more than 2–3 years and I don't use them much. I've looked for premium umbrellas before but every time I find one that isn't ridiculously priced, there's always a contingent of reviewers who insist that it fell apart in heavy wind or frequent use. Normally I buy $10 umbrellas from Australia's big hardware store chain. They aren't grea…

I have a Bunnings umbrella that has lasted 10yrs, but to be fair, I do live in the sunshine state.

Re: An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

#449

Post by alkonaut »

hackmiester wrote: post #91
alkonaut wrote: post #77

99% of the tracking notifications are given to my family members. It’s hilarious that you can’t “join” a family members tag so it can be shared within the family.

Being in an iCloud family does suppress the tracking notifications.

Really? Since which iOS? I got them as late as yesterday on a famly members' phone.

Re: An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

#450

Post by baq »

can16358p wrote: post #401
paxys wrote: post #175

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You personally may not have to worry about it, but a handful of well publicized cases of misuse (say someone getting stalked/murdered) will probably be a bigger monetary hit to Apple than their profit from this entire line.

With the same analogy, we should stop producing kitchen knifes because someone may stab someone. We should also stop producing cars because someone may crash someone. Almost every technological device (or even a simple device) can be abused in wrong hands, nothing to do with Apple or AirTags.

but that's precisely the wider point: new technology enables new behaviors, but in some cases, benefits are much smaller than downsides.

i don't think the jury is out on airtags just yet. it's clearly revolutionary technology in terms of reach, for better or worse.

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