How to make sure someone isn’t using an Apple AirTag to track you

WSOCTV.com News Staff
·2 min read

Apple AirTags are supposed to help you find things if lose them, like your keys or wallet. They’re convenient, small, and inexpensive -- about $30.

But some people have been allegedly using them to track cars to steal later or, even worse, to stalk people.

Here’s how AirTags work:

If you have an iPhone running operating system 14.5 or newer, your phone is supposed to send you a (written) notification if an AirTag is traveling with you. You should get that alert 1) when you arrive home, 2) when you arrive at a significant location (based on your travel patterns -- like work or the gym), or 3) at night (no matter where you are).

If you have an iPhone with an older operating system -- or an Android -- the AirTag is supposed to beep 8-24 hours after being separated from its owner.

ALSO READ: Some say Apple Watch irritated skin, company will not refund their money

Action 9′s Jason Stoogenke put it to the test. He gave an AirTag to fellow reporter, Gina Esposito, as she went out on a story and tracked her on his phone. Esposito had two iPhones with her, both with the right operating system and settings turned on.

She was gone about an hour and a half, but didn’t get any notification.

Apple says, “AirTag was designed to help people locate their personal belongings, not to track people or another person’s property, and we condemn in the strongest possible terms any malicious use of our products.”

The company adds it’s been “working closely with various safety groups and law enforcement agencies” and “identified even more ways we can update AirTag safety warnings and help guard against further unwanted tracking.”

>> Click here for Apple’s full statement.

As for why Esposito’s phones didn’t notify her, Apple directed Stoogenke’s attention to the last line of a statement on its website, which says, “[W]e’re committed to listening to feedback and innovating to make improvements that continue to guard against unwanted tracking.”

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Rashida Gittens says a long-time boyfriend stalked her. AirTags weren’t around at the time, but as someone who survived stalking, she worries about others. Plus, she works in cybersecurity now, so she thinks a lot about criminals and how they can abuse technology.

“For these AirTags …to be honest with you, I don’t see a purpose in it. I don’t,” she said.

“[Apple’s] intentions were probably well when they created it, right?” she added. “[But] when you think about the world we live in and are we fully vetting these technologies ... is it a good thing all the time?”

Advice:

  • Make sure your don’t disable certain settings on your phone.

  • Don’t turn off Bluetooth.

  • If you have an iPhone, but the operating system is older than 14.5, update it.

  • If you have an Android -- you can use a certain app -- the Tracker Detect app.

(WATCH BELOW: Bloomberg: Apple, Meta released customer data to hackers using forged ‘emergency data requests’)