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I used Apple AirTags, Tiles and a GPS tracker to watch my husband’s every move

nytimes.com

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Re: I used Apple AirTags, Tiles and a GPS tracker to watch my husband’s every move

#81

Post by iszomer »

eddieroger wrote: post #33
BeefWellington wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I ask - what new insight did this article offer on Airtags? I don't think anyone can conclude either way on the effectiveness of Apple's "safety measures" when it comes to Airtags, from this small anecdote. While I understand where you're coming from, I think there's value in adding to the chorus when it comes to putting pressure on a company to rethink a strategy. Certainly, while articles such as this may not be…

>> The author also seems to be somewhat deceptive - "I sound like a terrible wife, but it's for journalism!" No, it seems like the author played a prank on her husband a while back and used that to neuroticaly follow him, then tried to excuse that behavior by writing this fluff piece. You need to read more of the article. > Some states, including New York, where we live, have laws criminalizing this sort of thing. No…

If I had a pessimistic-comedic attitude towards titles of articles, it would read like this: "So you like putting a leash on your husband? Kinky."

Re: I used Apple AirTags, Tiles and a GPS tracker to watch my husband’s every move

#82

Post by dylan604 »

kbos87 wrote: post #32

My comment isn’t specific to AirTags, but there’s a much larger conversation that needs to be had about this gray area of stalking capabilities that are now built into many mainstream products. Here’s a pattern I’ve seen play out more than once among friends and family - they share their location willingly and for seemingly benign reasons. It’s helpful to know when you’ll be getting home so I can start dinner! Just i…

Essentially, this is why we can't have nice things. Human nature will always have someone take something to the dark places. Does that mean the rest of us can't use the things in non-creepy ways just because some will? After all, if you don't build it, someone else will, so why not you? These are all valid questions. Some people choose to do violence with weapons, so nobody should have weapons? These questions are always polarizing.

Re: I used Apple AirTags, Tiles and a GPS tracker to watch my husband’s every move

#83

Post by dylan604 »

ameminator wrote: post #3

Look, I usually try to be charitable. However, this article offered no new insight on Apple Airtags. If you don't want to waste your time, allow me to summarize: Woman puts Airtags in a car. Her husband isn't able to find them, even using Apple's "anti-stalk" features. Ergo, Apple needs to do more. I ask - what new insight did this article offer on Airtags? I don't think anyone can conclude either way on the effectiv…

>what new insight did this article

author found a trending topic, and is making the mostest

Re: I used Apple AirTags, Tiles and a GPS tracker to watch my husband’s every move

#84

Post by HeyLaughingBoy »

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #22
bberenberg wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I found the key quote to be "My husband, of course, had agreed to this in principle, but didn’t realize just how many devices I had planted on him. Of the seven trackers, he found only two: a Tile he felt in the breast pocket of his coat and an AirTag in his backpack when he was looking for something else. “It is impossible to find a device that makes no noise and gives no warning,” he said, when I showed him the one…

I mean for personal use, airtags seem all right. But it's the ones that don't come with a warning that they're around that worry me. I mean if you're paranoid, I'm sure there's detectors that can find bluetooth signals and whichever other technologies they use (I'm fairly sure GPS is passive, that is, they only need to receive satellite signals, not send anything).

Download the nRFConnect app and you'll probably be amazed at the number of BLE devices that are around you all the time.

Anecdote: I used to work for a company that did a lot of wireless wearable stuff and early on in COVID lockdown I had a Linux tool: bluetoothctl, running while I was testing some code down in the basement of my house. The first indication I had that my wife was home was the appearance of a Fitbit device in the scan, followed by a couple of unknown phones as she and a friend walked up to the house.

Not unexpected, but it was that sudden appearance of devices (I live far outside the city) that really drove home how much data we're throwing off all the time without thinking about it.

Re: I used Apple AirTags, Tiles and a GPS tracker to watch my husband’s every move

#85

Post by Unbeliever69 »

nickthegreek wrote: post #40

When it comes to AirTags, what I care about is my use cases and if this tech is serving me well. I have one in my motorcycle, vespa and backpack. I’ve previously had a bike stolen and never recovered. My mom looses her keys so what often, so I got her one as well. These AirTags provide me with an affordable peace of mind that works better than my Tile ever did.

Not much to add to the conversation here except that I love my Airtag in my wallet. So many times I've lost it for days and sometimes weeks on end only to find it in the crack of my couch, behind the seat in the car, under a pile of paper etc. Not anymore! Works like a charm within seconds.

Re: I used Apple AirTags, Tiles and a GPS tracker to watch my husband’s every move

#86

Post by acomjean »

kbos87 wrote: post #32

My comment isn’t specific to AirTags, but there’s a much larger conversation that needs to be had about this gray area of stalking capabilities that are now built into many mainstream products. Here’s a pattern I’ve seen play out more than once among friends and family - they share their location willingly and for seemingly benign reasons. It’s helpful to know when you’ll be getting home so I can start dinner! Just i…

Yeah. I took my partners dog for the afternoon. It has an airtag (not an official supported use). I knew the dog had it but there was some comment made about our walk. Monitoring by proxy.

When I worked at a power monitoring startup (we monitored home power use, by individual circuit) this passive monitoring came up. And our CEO mentioned to his wife that she was home early.. "how did you know?" He saw the garage door circuit draw power... He was told he could keep his toys, but not to talk about them.

Our sales guy had a potential partners remote door installed. He noted one time the dog walker did a pretty short walk (the door opens where x minutes apart), and was wondering if he could mention it..

Passive monitoring is everywhere. Not just cell phones.

Re: I used Apple AirTags, Tiles and a GPS tracker to watch my husband’s every move

#87

Post by SkyPuncher »

Osiris wrote: post #77

My wife and I have Google maps location sharing turned on all the time. It's not stepping because we agreed to it. Last night I got home from a motorcycle ride and the garage door opened as I pulled up because my wife knew I was coming home from a movie and saw I was almost home.

My wife and I do the same. She often has to drive long distances, at night, in the winter. It's a nice way for me to both see her progress and make sure she isn't stuck somewhere.

I also struggle to send a "hey, I'm on my way message". My wife really appreciates being able to check on the map quickly.

Re: I used Apple AirTags, Tiles and a GPS tracker to watch my husband’s every move

#88

Post by crhulls »

Hi All, I'm the cofounder and CEO of Life360, which is the relatively new owner of Tile. Stalking hasn't been much of an issue for us, but we are in the process expanding the finding network via our 35 million+ active user base (will require opt-in consent) and we also do offer a location device for kids and pets (Jiobit) that has its own cell connection which is actually meant for finding people in real-time.

We have a number of initiatives in the works to help allay concerns. I would be curious if the community here has any suggestions. I know our very existence is controversial - so please be kind - I'm here to listen.

Re: I used Apple AirTags, Tiles and a GPS tracker to watch my husband’s every move

#89

Post by kelnos »

> I opened an app linked to the most precise tracker in my arsenal, the $30 LandAirSea device. To activate it costs extra, because it needs a cellular plan to ping global positioning satellites.

I feel like someone who writes about privacy and surveillance should at least know how GPS works... nothing "pings" a GPS satellite here. GPS signals are constantly being broadcast to the ground for anyone to receive. The cellular plan is so the device can phone home to tell an online service what the device's position is, after determining it from the (free to use, open air) GPS broadcasts.

Re: I used Apple AirTags, Tiles and a GPS tracker to watch my husband’s every move

#90

Post by heinternets »

pluc wrote: post #58
kbos87 wrote: post #32

My comment isn’t specific to AirTags, but there’s a much larger conversation that needs to be had about this gray area of stalking capabilities that are now built into many mainstream products. Here’s a pattern I’ve seen play out more than once among friends and family - they share their location willingly and for seemingly benign reasons. It’s helpful to know when you’ll be getting home so I can start dinner! Just i…

The road to authoritarian technology is paved with convenience

I always knew pizza delivery would end up in total loss of freedoms
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