Apple intends to deploy new privacy warnings that will appear during Air Tag setup to thwart nefarious use in a forthcoming software update. The warning will state that the Air Tag is tied to an Apple ID, that tracking people with it is illegal, and that law enforcement can request identifying information about the Air Tag’s owner. According to Apple, the text of the notice may alter somewhat, but it will essentially convey the following information:
“Air Tag was designed to assist individuals locate their personal things, not to track people or other people’s property, and we condemn any malicious use of our products in the strongest possible terms,” Apple states in a press release. The company also admits that it is receiving more reports of people using Air Tags for nefarious purposes and says that it is actively collaborating with law enforcement on all Air Tag-related inquiries.
More noise:
Currently, iOS users can send an unwelcome tracking alert to make the suspect Air Tag play tones, and Apple has stated that tags would utilize louder tones in the future to help locate the tag. The company also said that it will expand a function that makes an Air Tag that hasn’t been with the person who registered it for an extended length of time play a sound when relocated.
In principle, this may alert a stalker victim to the presence of an Air Tag, but recent reports indicated that Air Tags with the internal speakers deactivated had been placed for sale online. To combat this, when the sound is activated and the Air Tag is spotted moving with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, an alert will show on that device as well. Apple also stated that it will add more information and tools to its support page on unwanted tracking.
Apple claims that in upcoming software upgrades, anyone setting up an Air Tag would notice a new privacy warning stating that using Air Tags for unwanted tracking is a criminal. The message will also emphasize that victims will be contacted if an Air Tag is detected and that law enforcement can request identifying information on the owner of an Air Tag. Apple also stated that it would be revising its support documentation to offer more extensive descriptions of what may trigger an alert as well as information for what to do if one is received.
