Navigating the Risks of Apple AirTags: A Domestic Violence Concern
Written on
Understanding AirTags and Their Implications
Recently, Apple unveiled its AirTags—$29 tracking devices intended to help locate personal belongings like keys or bags from virtually anywhere. These small discs, comparable in size to a quarter, have been positively reviewed by technology experts, including our team.
However, representatives from the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) emphasize that technological advancements often carry unexpected risks. This nonprofit organization, dedicated to eradicating violence against women, has previously advised major companies like Facebook and Twitter but has not consulted Apple regarding AirTags. They warn that while AirTags are user-friendly and affordable, they can also serve as covert tracking devices, potentially enabling abusers to monitor their partners' movements. An AirTag can easily be hidden in a person's belongings, allowing for relentless tracking.
“Leaving an abusive relationship can be incredibly perilous, and stalking or assault often escalates during this time,” notes Erica Olsen, director of the safety net project at NNEDV. “It’s vital for individuals planning to leave to do so without the fear of being tracked.”
AirTags connect through Apple’s Find My network, which encompasses nearly a billion active devices, including iPhones and Macs. Apple asserts that they have implemented features to deter stalking, such as notifying users if an unknown AirTag is detected nearby and causing the AirTag to emit a sound after three days of disconnection from its paired iPhone.
In response to inquiries, an Apple spokesperson stated:
"We prioritize customer safety and are dedicated to the privacy and security of AirTags. Our proactive measures to discourage unwanted tracking set a new industry standard. The Find My network includes a sophisticated system designed to protect users and we aim to lead in privacy improvements."
Nevertheless, Apple refrained from addressing specific questions, such as whether they consulted domestic violence experts during the AirTag design process or why they didn’t extend full protections to Android users. They also did not respond to concerns about how AirTags might be misused by abusers.
The Link Between Surveillance and Domestic Abuse
Surveillance technology poses significant risks for domestic abuse survivors. For instance, one woman in Houston was incessantly followed by her ex-partner until she discovered a tracking device hidden in her vehicle. As NNEDV explains, it has become common practice in shelters to review the technology that individuals possess or have left behind. Smartphones are particularly scrutinized, with staff checking to ensure tracking features like Find My iPhone are disabled. In many cases, staff have uncovered tracking devices hidden in bags or toys.
AirTags are not the first consumer-grade tracking devices; they follow in the footsteps of products like Tile, which pioneered fob tracking technology. However, AirTags benefit from Apple's expansive ecosystem, leveraging the vast network of Apple devices to operate on an encrypted platform. While Tile relies on Bluetooth and an app, AirTags utilize the global infrastructure of nearly a billion Apple devices, making them a formidable tool for tracking.
Apple has incorporated some protective measures. For example, if an iPhone user unknowingly carries an AirTag, they will receive an alert after it has been detected "moving with them." Apple has not specified how frequently these alerts occur but indicated they would activate upon the user arriving home or at familiar locations.
However, Android users—who comprised 87% of the global smartphone market as of 2019—lack such notifications. If an AirTag is placed on an Android user, it will only sound an alarm after three days of disconnection. This means that an Android user could be tracked for a prolonged period without awareness, particularly if they live with an iPhone user who can frequently reconnect the AirTag without triggering alerts.
This situation highlights Apple's overarching "walled garden" strategy, which keeps users within its ecosystem while potentially endangering those outside it. The disparity means that Android users can be tracked more effectively than iPhone users, raising serious ethical concerns.
As Corbin Streett, a technology safety expert at NNEDV, points out, “Three days isn’t sufficient if you return home daily to the person who’s monitoring you. Apple seems to be addressing threats from strangers rather than acknowledging the risks posed by intimate partners.”
Streett suggests that Apple and other tracking device manufacturers could reconsider their approach, potentially collaborating with Google to create a shared standard that would afford equal protections to all users, regardless of their device.
“I frequently misplace my keys and wallet,” Streett adds. “The challenge is to design such technology in a way that it doesn’t become a tool for abuse in personal relationships. I encourage Apple to remain open to feedback and enhance the safety features accordingly.”
For those who are survivors of domestic violence or who are concerned for someone else, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1–800–799-SAFE (7233) or 1–800–787–3224 (TTY).
Safety Concerns Raised Over AirTags
This video discusses the potential safety issues associated with Apple AirTags, highlighting the worries of domestic violence advocates.
Stalkers and Thieves Using Apple AirTags: Prevention Tips
This video offers advice on how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of tracking through the misuse of Apple AirTags.