CUPERTINO, Calif. (KNX) — Once touted as a convenient little device to help users keep track of keys, laptops, and other losable items, the Apple AirTag has faced serious criticism for it's ability to assist stalkers and thieves. Thursday, the company said its making good with customers with an update to prevent such incidents.
"We’ve become aware that individuals can receive unwanted tracking alerts for benign reasons...when traveling in a car with a family member’s AirPods left inside," Apple said in a statement, acknowledging that "bad actors" also attempt to use the AirTag for malicious or criminal purposes.
"Apple has been working closely with various safety groups and law enforcement agencies. Through our own evaluations and these discussions, we have identified even more ways we can update AirTag safety warnings and help guard against further unwanted tracking."
Last month swimsuit model Brooks Nader, 26, was the subject of one such stalker tracking incident - and found an AirTag that was not hers in her pocket when she got home from a night out in New York City.
The same month, a woman in Montgomery County said she received a notification about an "unknown accessory detected" by her iPhone after she left a movie theater. A similar situation played out in Chicago where two women reported being tracked.
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Apple maintains that they designed AirTags with the potential for malicious use in mind, and designed the "Find My" network to send users notifications to alert them to unwanted tracking.
But that doesn't change the fact that in some cases, people aren't aware of the devices being put in their purses or on their cars.
As all AirTags have serials numbers associated with individual accounts, Apple said it's working with law enforcement to track down perpetrators by pairing the tags with the account details.
The company said it's also updating the software to include privacy warnings during AirTag setup, so that users with malicious intentions will be warned that their data will be shared with police if they use the AirTag to track another person.
Updates coming to AirTag:
Updated support documentation: A page that details what "Find My" accessories could trigger unwanted tracking alerts and gives information about what to do if you get such an alert. Also provides links to resources that people can use if they feel their safety is at risk.
Precision finding: Allows recipients of unwanted tracking alerts to located an unknown AirTag.
Refining unwanted tracking alert logic: Apple plans to update the alert system to notify users earlier that an unknown AirTag may be traveling with them.
Tuning AirTag's sound: Apple is adjusting the tone sequence of the AirTag so that it is louder and easier to find.
To learn more about Apple's AirTag updates, click here.
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