Apple AirTags stalking led to ruin and murders, lawsuit says

stopthatgirl7@kbin.social to Technology@lemmy.world – 147 points –
Apple AirTags stalking led to ruin and murders, lawsuit says
arstechnica.com

Dozens join lawsuit alleging Apple AirTags are stalkers’ “weapon of choice.”

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I wonder if Apple could give an option for the anti stalking to android. If they could but they aren't, that could be an argument that they are making stalking easier to promote their ecosystem.

They already did, except you need to be willing to install a proprietary Apple application. Still a de facto data ransom.

That used to be the case, but Apple and Google worked together recently to make it work just like on iPhone - no need for a 3rd party app or anything to notify you if an Airtag is with you.

Hmm, I didn't know this. I checked and it's enabled. However, the last scan was 11 days ago. Doesn't seem very useful if it's not scanning that often.

Is it limited to a notification though? The phone and the tag have to communicate with each other in order to send the ping. It should be as easy as a setting on your phone that says "do not process airtag data" and no tags ping through your phone if you don't allow it.

This would be useless. It’s like turning off a single bulb in a room full of lights in the hopes that it gets dark. One single device falling off as an avenue when you’re surrounded by other devices it can connect to is useless.

I wonder if Apple could give an option for the anti stalking to android.

Apple and Google collaborated on a specification for this and anti-stalking rolled out to Android in August.

They put out an android app that will notify people of AirTags not that long after they first came out, so they already have. But, as is kinda obvious, not so many people know about it.

The pixels seem to have it by default. I don't have the Apple app, but my phone will tell me the airtag on my keys was following me. It's pointless though, because it shows up a couple hours after the fact.

That's not pointless at all. Stalking is typically an ongoing activity.

Fair point. I still feel that it could be better. I'm seeing that I can go to work, be there all day, and come home, and only receive the notification late evening. I'd prefer it to be faster for the sake of those affected by actual stalking.