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An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

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Re: An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

#251

Post by oxplot »

This is a great response - very happy to hear Apple's involvement with various groups to make things better.

Some noteworthy bits:

> we innovated with the first-ever proactive system to alert you of unwanted tracking

If that's true, then Apple just raised the privacy bar and now Tile and other small players need to up their game to stay relevant.

There is also lesson to learn here: whoever makes a tech/product popular is the one who gets the heat for all its shortcomings/problems. It doesn't matter how many existing small players were doing a horrible job for years.

> As an iPhone user moves, Precision Finding fuses input from the camera, ARKit, accelerometer, and gyroscope to guide them to the AirTag

This is something that's not appreciated. The UWB chip on the Airtag can only help iPhone know how far away it is from the tag. It's 3D modelling of the world through camera vision that helps triangulate and guide the user via live on-screen direction.

Next time you think why we need tech X, just remember that you can't foresee what it'll enable in the future - (and before you comment "all AR stuff to find my keys faster?", re-read the previous sentence again).

Re: An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

#252

Post by eftychis »

Wowfunhappy wrote: post #240

> Every AirTag has a unique serial number, and paired AirTags are associated with an Apple ID. Apple can provide the paired account details in response to a subpoena or valid request from law enforcement. We have successfully partnered with them on cases where information we provided has been used to trace an AirTag back to the perpetrator, who was then apprehended and charged. This makes me wonder, could Apple go fu…

Consider theft. Now the thieves have the victims phone number to attempt to further steal from them. Or if there is an audible sound, they know the police is coming after them and can drop the airtag and avoid apprehension.

This is a two edge blade. Personally, if I was going to use an airtag I would use it to protect myself in case of theft. Now, the thieves can locate the airtag due to a notification and move it to an unsuspecting other victim, which will then move on to press charges against me, and I will have to defend myself in court. I don't see the appeal.

Re: An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

#253

Post by ajdude »

colinmhayes wrote: post #153
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…

Maybe you don't lose stuff as much as other people? My brother was always complaining about losing his wallet, his keys, anything you can think of. I got him a tile, but their product wasn't very accurate. Got him airtags and the problem is solved. Not only are air tags useful, but I'm sure that there are people who would be willing to switch to iOS solely to get access to airtags. That seems pretty valuable to apple…

Before I left my house this afternoon, I had misplaced my keys. Unfortunately I tend to be a little absent minded. I used my AirTags to find them in 30 seconds. I commented to my friend as I was walking out how these AirTags have save me hours during the week, because I would often 20+ dozens minutes searching for my wallet, keys, or e reader.

I am so happy that these exist.

Re: An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

#254

Post by quirino »

Wowfunhappy wrote: post #240

> Every AirTag has a unique serial number, and paired AirTags are associated with an Apple ID. Apple can provide the paired account details in response to a subpoena or valid request from law enforcement. We have successfully partnered with them on cases where information we provided has been used to trace an AirTag back to the perpetrator, who was then apprehended and charged. This makes me wonder, could Apple go fu…

I wonder how this would work. Even if you do find the Apple ID the AirTag is associated with, how do you find the person associated with the Apple ID? You can use any name you wish there as far as I know.

Re: An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

#255

Post by ajdude »

isatty wrote: post #233
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…

As an adult with ADHD AirTags have been an absolute godsend. I have them on my keys, wallet and backpack and I’ve pinged them all separately just this week.

I have pinged my keys within the last three hours!

Re: An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

#256

Post by kylehotchkiss »

rootusrootus wrote: post #222
badwolf wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> "TV remote finder" I was sorely disappointed when they announced the new Apple TV remote, and it didn't have airtag built into it.

I want to see AirTags built into all mobile Apple devices. iPhone, iPad, remotes. With it's own rechargeable battery, it would be really useful when my silly kid forgets where he left his iPad.

The find my network is supposed to be that already - Apple devices even ping when turned off. Try opening “find my” and clicking devices. If you all share a family account, their iPad should display its location.

Re: An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

#257

Post by Terry_Roll »

x0x0 wrote: post #244
foolfoolz wrote: post #241

Earlier quoted context omitted.

this would violate privacy laws like gdpr

Why and how? I'm quite familiar with gdpr, btw -- and I don't see how being able to look up a uuid or some other nonsequential identifier via a site to find the owner obviously violates it. There's a strong legitimate interest case for anyone in possession of a global tracking tag being able to find out the owner, I would think.

You dont know the circumstances for why an airtag is where it is, what if a parent sewed one into their kids clothes or bag or shoe, but got ripped out or something?

Apple should know who possesses the airtags at the very least, and if an airtag is reported lost/stolen, that info could be conveyed back to the person who found it, but nothing more until Apple has then liased with the "owner" to find out what to do next. Obviously this can be automated to some degree.

Re: An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

#258

Post by burlesona »

gambiting wrote: post #160
thomasguide wrote: post #155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Knife purchases are controlled in the U.K.[1] Persons under 18 are not allowed to buy knives, but in practice this means most people are showing an ID to purchase a knife. [1] https://www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives

In addition, carrying a knife on you without a good reason is a crime in itself - and yes going home with a knife you just purchased is a perfectly valid reason. But having a knife on you "just in case" is not, unless you live in the middle of nowhere or are a farmer or something. Get stopped in the middle of London with a knife and that's a serious crime.

Wow.

Not disagreeing with or commenting on that policy at all, but I had no idea knives were treated so seriously in the UK (and presumably elsewhere).

Meanwhile in much of the US, not only can you can openly carry a gun around, you don’t even need a permit.

Just wow.

The world is vast and strange.

Re: An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

#259

Post by tgsovlerkhgsel »

netsharc wrote: post #161
mjsweet wrote: post #139

"We have successfully partnered with them (police) on cases where information we provided has been used to trace an AirTag back to the perpetrator, who was then apprehended and charged." Obviously each air tag is associated with an iCloud account, so this could be quite an effective move on Apples part.

A less charitable reading is "We've had at least 1 solid case of criminal use of the AirTag that lead to arrest and charge.".

Why would that be less charitable? Many things can be abused criminally. Arrest and charges are how our society deals with it if someone does. Deterrence prevents crimes in many cases. Not all, but many.

Re: An update on AirTag and unwanted tracking

#260

Post by samatman »

gambiting wrote: post #160
thomasguide wrote: post #155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Knife purchases are controlled in the U.K.[1] Persons under 18 are not allowed to buy knives, but in practice this means most people are showing an ID to purchase a knife. [1] https://www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives

In addition, carrying a knife on you without a good reason is a crime in itself - and yes going home with a knife you just purchased is a perfectly valid reason. But having a knife on you "just in case" is not, unless you live in the middle of nowhere or are a farmer or something. Get stopped in the middle of London with a knife and that's a serious crime.

I must say, as an adult in the habit of carrying a lockback folding knife whenever I leave the house, a practice I ultimately owe to Lord Baden-Powell, I found it.. discomfiting that this benign practice is illegal in London. Lovely city in general, one of my very favourites, but there's something grim about that.

"Be Prepared" was considered a perfectly valid reason at one time. Still is in hmm. Many places.

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