Apple announced Thursday that it has updated its AirTag to prevent abusive or illegal use.
Launched last April, the AirTag was designed to locate the object with which it is associated thanks to an application. The device works with iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and is tracked via Bluetooth. But its use was quickly diverted to track people or objects like cars in order to steal them at the best time. Indeed, we frequently relay various facts related to AirTags. Bad publicity that Apple would do without. The Apple brand has therefore tackled the problem head-on by strengthening its collaboration with law enforcement and updating its tracker.
Cooperation with law enforcement
In its press release, Apple specifies that its documentation relating to law enforcement now indicates the various steps to follow in the event of an investigation related to an AirTag. We can also read that each tracking device is linked to a serial number, itself associated with an Apple ID. The company says it is ready to provide information regarding a linked account in case the police ask for it.
Focus on security
Apple has thus implemented new measures to strengthen security, starting with a message clearly explaining to the installation of the application that tracking people without their consent is a crime in many countries and that the authorities can ask identify the owner of an AirTag.
Apple also wants to improve its program to detect unsolicited tracking to warn users even earlier that an AirTag moves at the same time as them. By updating its AirTags, Apple added when announcing the update: “The AirTag was designed to help people locate their belongings and not to track the people or property of others, and we condemn in the strongest terms any misuse of our products.”
Apple is finally taking the AirTags problem seriously and trying to reassure the general public. Although the accessory has met with some success, the diversions are quite numerous. We hope that these updates will bear fruit and reduce malicious uses.
