AirTags have been used by stalkers to track their victims during their daily routines alongside its intended purpose. — Unsplash
Apple AirTags were designed as an aesthetic way to keep track of keys, wallets, backpacks and anything else that might go missing. And while many Apple users continue to find their belongings with AirTags, there have been concerns that the trackers can be used for criminal purposes since the product was released in April 2021.
AirTags have been used by stalkers to track their victims during their daily routines alongside its intended purpose.
In Houston, a man was arrested Sept 19 after he was accused of putting an AirTag in a woman’s car to keep track of her location. And, a Chronicle correspondent reported last year that a friend heard a chirping sound and learned her vehicle had been tracked by her husband during a divorce, an act that was legal because he owned the car.
Apple has built-in mechanisms to protect people who may be tracked with the company’s devices. Here’s what you need to know.
How would I know if I’m being tracked with an AirTag?
iPhone users will not be entirely in the dark if they are being tracked with an AirTag. Users should be alerted an AirTag, AirPod or any other accessory is near them for an extended period of time without its owner. As long as an iPhone or another device is updated to iOS 14.5 or later, the user will receive alerts through your Find My app.
According to the Apple website, Bluetooth settings and Location Services will need to be on in order to get the notification.
You may also hear a faint chirping noise if someone else’s AirTag is detected nearby after an extended period of time. Apple has faced criticism that the ringer may be too faint to hear – especially depending on where it is placed. For instance, trackers wedged behind the license plate of a car would be nearly impossible to hear while driving.
A Houston woman learned she was being tracked after she got repeated notifications that there was an AirPod with her last September. The notifications on her phone showed her the device was tracking her every move. She never found the AirPod in question, but said if she had she would have contacted police.
While AirPods die somewhat quickly, AirTag batteries can last up to a year, which means that finding the device and disabling it is important.
Android users will not have the same access to notifications but can download the Tracker Detect app to be alerted if an AirTag or other accessory is near them.
What does “AirTag found moving with you” mean?
If an AirTag or or other Apple accessory is moving with you, it means that it is no longer nearby its owner and has been with you over a period of time, according to Apple. That is when users will get the notification “AirTag found moving with you”. It could be that an AirTag is on an item you’re borrowing – like inside a purse a friend lent you – or if you happen to have someone else’s device.
It is possible that the owner of the AirTag or other Apple accessory can see your location.
When Apple sends a user a notification about an AirTag, it will show additional information about where the accessory has been tracked. Users can access a map showing where the device has been detected. Notably, those dots do not reveal whether the owner of the tracker has been viewing its location.
How do I get rid of an AirTag that isn’t mine?
If you have received a notification about an unfamiliar AirTag, you can use the Find My app to play a sound on the device and find it yourself. Some iPhone models can use precision finding to point you in the direction of the unknown device.
If there is no option to play a sound, the item may no longer be nearby. If Find My devices are in range of their owners, they will not be able to play a sound from your notification, so it may also have been returned. If you cannot hear the sound or are not able to play one, Apple recommends looking throughout your belongings for anything that could contain the device. That could include a jacket pocket or parts of your car.
“If you can’t find the device and if you feel your safety is at risk, go to a safe public location and contact law enforcement,” says the Apple website.
The Houston Police Department has advised victims to call authorities or file a report in person, according to past Chronicle reporting.
Can I block an AirTag signal?
Once you have an AirTag in-hand, hold your phone near the white side of the device until a notification appears. The notification will show you the serial number of the AirTag as well as the last four digits of the phone number of the person who registered the device. Be sure to screenshot the screen to document the information.
To disable the device, tap “Instructions to Disable” in the Find My app and follow the instructions. Once it is disabled, the owner can no longer receive updates on its location and you will no longer receive tracking alerts. – The Houston Chronicle/Tribune News Service
