Apple AirTag now loved by stalkers! Police issue warning

Apple AirTag is raising privacy issues once again after involved in two stalking cases in the US.

The Apple AirTag has been involved in two cases of stalking in the US. (Jhinuk Sen/HT Tech)

Apple presents the AirTag as a useful accessory to your Apple ecosystem in keeping track of your personal items. Drivers can keep track of their lost car keys, forgetful men can keep track of their wallet, women can keep track of their bag, and now, stalkers can keep track of their prey. Yes, in what comes as funny yet shocking news, stalkers in the US are using Apple AirTag to make their lives easier.

In a latest report from WGRZ, the Apple AirTag is now widely used to stalk people in the US. In two latest incidents, the AirTag has been used to stalk the victim moving around the city by sticking the tracker under their car's bumper. Another case also involved the AirTag tracker but the police were unable to find the tracker in this instance.

Apple AirTag breaching privacy

“A female came in and she got this message notification on her phone that there was an Apple AirTag or device moving with her, so she came to the station,” said West Seneca Lieutenant Jonathan Luterek. After a thorough investigation, the police found an AirTag tracker tucked in the bumper of her car.

In the second case, the tracker could not be found. "Officers checked over her car pretty thoroughly and weren't able to locate it. It disconnected shortly after, so at this point it's really unknown if it was on the vehicle, or if her phone got alerted about something nearby," Luterek said.

The New York police have issued a warning to residents and asked people to call 911 in case they find an unknown AirTag tracker on them. After Apple's latest efforts, both iPhone and Android users can find unknown AirTag trackers on them.

Apple has been widely criticized for the privacy related concerns ever since the AirTag launched. Apple has made efforts to improve the privacy situation over the months and even extended the ability for Android users to detect lost AirTag trackers through a dedicated app.

While Apple's AirTag is part of the wider Find My network, it raises concerns for similar trackers from Tile, Samsung and other companies, whose trackers aren't their on popular networks.