NEW DELHI: There have been many reports about how Apple’s tiny tracking device AirTag can be misused to stalk or track people without their knowledge. Scepticism around the AirTag isn’t new and has been there since they are launched in 2021. Now, to allay some of the fears and concerns regarding how to stay safe with AirTag, the Cupertino-based tech giant has issued a personal safety guide outlining some of the measures one can take.
Apple says the AirTag and the Find My network are designed with privacy at their core. AirTag and Find My network accessories have unique Bluetooth identifiers that change frequently. To discourage unwanted tracking, Find My notifies you if an unknown AirTag or other Find My accessory is seen moving with you over time by sending you the message, “Item Detected Near You.” Do keep in mind that This feature is available on iPhone, iPad running iOS 14.5 or iPadOS 14.5 or later
“If you see this message on your device, an AirTag or other Find My accessory that has been separated from the person who registered it is travelling with you, and the owner might be able to see its location. It’s possible that the AirTag might be attached to an item you are borrowing,” explains Apple.
Apple says the AirTag and the Find My network are designed with privacy at their core. AirTag and Find My network accessories have unique Bluetooth identifiers that change frequently. To discourage unwanted tracking, Find My notifies you if an unknown AirTag or other Find My accessory is seen moving with you over time by sending you the message, “Item Detected Near You.” Do keep in mind that This feature is available on iPhone, iPad running iOS 14.5 or iPadOS 14.5 or later
“If you see this message on your device, an AirTag or other Find My accessory that has been separated from the person who registered it is travelling with you, and the owner might be able to see its location. It’s possible that the AirTag might be attached to an item you are borrowing,” explains Apple.
What to do if you have an Android device?
There’s an app called Tracker Detect, that can be used to scan for AirTag which are nearby. Tracker Detect looks for item trackers within Bluetooth range that are separated from their owner and that are compatible with Apple’s Find My network. “If you think someone is using an AirTag or another item tracker to track your location, you can scan to try to find it. If the app detects an AirTag or compatible item tracker near you for at least 10 minutes, you can play a sound to help locate it,” explains Apple.
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