Stalking is rare so who cares. We reviewed the data in another thread and this is not a sufficient concern to have removed the functionality that would allow the airbags to be used for theft prevention. Doubling down by the reporter is just clickbait.
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AirTag Anti-Stalking Measures 'Just Aren't Sufficient' Says Washington Post Report
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I wonder if AirTags are one of those devices that are giving us more information than we really need, using fear of loss as a reason to track the whereabouts of items or people. I can definitely see there being a backlash against AirTags, where people are finding and destroying them just because.
And it’s strange how Apple is promoting them as visible items to be added to key rings, or attached to backpacks. If a thief were to steal car keys or a backpack and saw an AirTag connected, of course they’re going to remove it and destroy it or toss it in the trash so it goes to the dump, as if that is where your backpack or car is located.
And it’s strange how Apple is promoting them as visible items to be added to key rings, or attached to backpacks. If a thief were to steal car keys or a backpack and saw an AirTag connected, of course they’re going to remove it and destroy it or toss it in the trash so it goes to the dump, as if that is where your backpack or car is located.
The Find My iPhone feature has been available for over 10 years now. I still encounter people almost daily who have no idea that this feature exists even though they have owned iPhones for many years.
It has been possible to track family members with astonishing accuracy (up to what area of a grocery store they are at) or where on a parking lot they parked for years and years now.
The only novel feature of the Airtag is that it’s so cheap that you can plant it on others because if you didn’t mind planting an iPhone on others, you could track them 10 years before the Airtag was released.
For those slagging The Washington Post, I'm genuinely curious, who are your respected go-to sources for excellent journalism and news. And why.
If you could list three or four that would be great.
If you could list three or four that would be great.
How many documented cases are their of stalkers dropping something off. The overwhelming majority of physical stalkers are unwanted ex-boyfriends (mostly) and ex girlfriends. This isn’t a common form of “stalking” and “stalking” is not common.
It does not take much brains to figure out it does facilitate tracking of people. To a greater degree people that don’t have an iPhone.
The difference between this and others, is that it is launched at a massive scale. Even people with no Airtags can be part of the tracking network by default.
The difference between this and others, is that it is launched at a massive scale. Even people with no Airtags can be part of the tracking network by default.
Whatsaboutism is not a logical fallacy when it’s a comment on the structure or environment and not the act. For example ... the media says a person committed fraud and they hound that person because they are famous. When you point out the media did not hound some non famous person it’s a logical fallacy if your argument is that means fraud is ok. It’s not a fallacy if your criticism is of the meta - situation ... that the media hound some people for some things and not others and are hypocrites.
so...when someone says what about Tile they are wrong if they are excusing Apple but right if they are making an observation about how media sucks in this regard, or just wants clicks and attention, etc.
Maybe some time it just all works out. Stalkers...don’t lose hope.
that’s a joke for the Karen’s getting ready to scold me.
This can be used by restricting the workflow.
Say active tracking only works at home / office “Wi-Fi Network”. Outside the home only simply warns the used that it’s leaving its items behind … showing the latest location and a reduced period of active tracking … 5 minutes or so Eventually grant the item has lost to be contacted back if someone finds it.
Say active tracking only works at home / office “Wi-Fi Network”. Outside the home only simply warns the used that it’s leaving its items behind … showing the latest location and a reduced period of active tracking … 5 minutes or so Eventually grant the item has lost to be contacted back if someone finds it.
My first thought. BTW, what are WaPo's record of Apple and its product commentaries like?
Just put in the Air Tag documentation to keep away from stalkers (like children) and Apple is fine 
People are treating this article as some vicious and biased attack on Apple. Please try to look past your love of Apple and instead think about the point: women in particular are less safe because of this technology. "But this was true of Tile!" <-- great, lets fix it now anyway. "But Apple took steps!" <-- great, lets take more steps now anyway.
Stop being so defensive and actually look at the problem space with open eyes. The reality is that AirTags are going to be *way more popular* than any other product like this that existed before, so think of this article's observations as an OPPORTUNITY to help save the lives and physical safety of women.
The article itself also serves as a PSA for people who might not have thought of this threat model and can now take proactive personal steps to protect themselves.
Stop being so defensive and actually look at the problem space with open eyes. The reality is that AirTags are going to be *way more popular* than any other product like this that existed before, so think of this article's observations as an OPPORTUNITY to help save the lives and physical safety of women.
The article itself also serves as a PSA for people who might not have thought of this threat model and can now take proactive personal steps to protect themselves.
“If the person being stalked lives with the stalker the sound might not ever activate.”
Umm…I think if the person being stalked lives with the stalker then the Airtag is the least of their problems.
I think it’s just become fashionable to attack Apple for everything that they do. It’s not like there is any integrity left in any aspect Of journalism, but the constant onslaught is boring and most (but admittedly not all) of the complaints are poorly conceived.
Umm…I think if the person being stalked lives with the stalker then the Airtag is the least of their problems.
I think it’s just become fashionable to attack Apple for everything that they do. It’s not like there is any integrity left in any aspect Of journalism, but the constant onslaught is boring and most (but admittedly not all) of the complaints are poorly conceived.
The AirTag is a great product… for tech outlets that like to write about Apple. It's a very flexible topic that can get you clicks each and every day. That it might kill a product is a minor inconvenience for said outlets.
Here's an example schedule of stories to run:
Monday: Report on how iFixit talks about how difficult it is to open the battery compartment with greasy fingers
Tuesday: Report on how an Australian retailer is pulling them off the shelves because they're concerned Australian kids will swallow the battery, since it's too easy to open the battery compartment (a feature that's so decidedly not "Apple-like" that it's clear this was intended as a safety feature against stalking, more so since it's featured in the instructions when you get alerted about an unknown AirTag traveling with you)
Wednesday: Report on how useless AirTags are (or people consider it to be) to get your stolen stuff back because AirTags alert thieves of their presence
Thursday: Report on the NNEDV saying that the precautions in AirTags are useless and how it still is easily used for stalking by partners
Friday: Double dip, report on how the WaPo reports about their test and reports the concerns from the NNEDV (best wait for the next Friday to do this, otherwise people might catch on)
Saturday: Report on how Tile thinks its unfair that after 8 years being the, de facto, unopposed monopolist on this market and having known for 2 years that AirTags were coming, they now have to compete with others
Sunday: Throw Apple a bone, write something positive about the AirTags or one of the many accessories, 3rd party or otherwise. Gotta plug those affiliate links somehow.
Rinse and repeat.
Here's an example schedule of stories to run:
Monday: Report on how iFixit talks about how difficult it is to open the battery compartment with greasy fingers
Tuesday: Report on how an Australian retailer is pulling them off the shelves because they're concerned Australian kids will swallow the battery, since it's too easy to open the battery compartment (a feature that's so decidedly not "Apple-like" that it's clear this was intended as a safety feature against stalking, more so since it's featured in the instructions when you get alerted about an unknown AirTag traveling with you)
Wednesday: Report on how useless AirTags are (or people consider it to be) to get your stolen stuff back because AirTags alert thieves of their presence
Thursday: Report on the NNEDV saying that the precautions in AirTags are useless and how it still is easily used for stalking by partners
Friday: Double dip, report on how the WaPo reports about their test and reports the concerns from the NNEDV (best wait for the next Friday to do this, otherwise people might catch on)
Saturday: Report on how Tile thinks its unfair that after 8 years being the, de facto, unopposed monopolist on this market and having known for 2 years that AirTags were coming, they now have to compete with others
Sunday: Throw Apple a bone, write something positive about the AirTags or one of the many accessories, 3rd party or otherwise. Gotta plug those affiliate links somehow.
Rinse and repeat.
They really don’t. Other than Apple Music. What android piece of hardware/software Is supported by apple
Really think Apple stepped in quicksand with this product, and it really wasn’t necessary. Just take a license fee from third parties and stay out of it.
If you live with someone who's going to start stalking you maybe it's time to move out.