Kill Switch

[dcp10]

After reading a lot of the concerns about stalking potential, especially in domestic cases. I think Apple should add a specific kill switch to iOS to block unknown trackers. Something like “Alert Unknown Trackers Immediately”. There is already some good security built in, but there is still a lot of room for abuse. A kill switch puts the power and choice in the hands of the user and not a set of somewhat vaguely defined perimeters which might affected by specific settings on the phone e.g. Significant locations setting.

Tougher to solve the Android problem. Perhaps an app which mimics the Find My network, but limited to just Airtags in Bluetooth range?

Thoughts?

 

[KeithJenner]

After reading a lot of the concerns about stalking potential, especially in domestic cases. I think Apple should add a specific kill switch to iOS to block unknown trackers. Something like “Alert Unknown Trackers Immediately”. There is already some good security built in, but there is still a lot of room for abuse. A kill switch puts the power and choice in the hands of the user and not a set of somewhat vaguely defined perimeters which might affected by specific settings on the phone e.g. Significant locations setting.

Tougher to solve the Android problem. Perhaps an app which mimics the Find My network, but limited to just Airtags in Bluetooth range?

Thoughts?

Depends exactly what you mean.

If you mean an ability to just kill any tags that are near you then it introduces the ability for people to just switch peoples tags off just to annoy (and there are plenty of people who I'm sure would do that). I don't see how this could work.

If you mean the ability to stop your phone from reporting the tags location then this doesn't stop the possibility of you being tracked by other peoples phones reporting the location (as you walk near people for example). Possibly it would stop the stalker getting an exact location on your home, but overall I don't see how it would help much.

 

[dcp10]

Depends exactly what you mean.

If you mean an ability to just kill any tags that are near you then it introduces the ability for people to just switch peoples tags off just to annoy (and there are plenty of people who I'm sure would do that). I don't see how this could work.

If you mean the ability to stop your phone from reporting the tags location then this doesn't stop the possibility of you being tracked by other peoples phones reporting the location (as you walk near people for example). Possibly it would stop the stalker getting an exact location on your home, but overall I don't see how it would help much.

I’m suggesting users have an option to how quickly their phone triggers the ‘Airtag Near You Warning’. As it stands now someone can have one with them for hours and if they live with the abuser, indefinitely.

No other features would be effected.

 

[KeithJenner]

I’m suggesting users have an option to how quickly their phone triggers the ‘Airtag Near You Warning’. As it stands now someone can have one with them for hours and if they live with the abuser, indefinitely.

No other features would be effected.

Aah, ok, I was way out.

I don’t see any particular reason why not, as it would potentially make people who feel at risk feel safer. They would obviously have a problem with more false alarms but that is down to them.