I would have just removed the battery and dealt with the AirTag later.
I probably would have reset it. Just saying.
I probably would have reset it. Just saying.
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My car was just stolen with an AirTag in it - Help
- Thread starter MrWoppit
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Understanding the limitations of an AirTag is essential. Simply because of how it works, and knowing that thieves are also clued up about how it works, will allow them to discover its existence incredibly quickly.
AirTags are most helpful in finding misplaced items. Not stolen ones. Of course, it can help recover stolen items where the thief has not discovered or been alerted to it, but that is becoming far less common as thieves know what to look for.
AirTags are most helpful in finding misplaced items. Not stolen ones. Of course, it can help recover stolen items where the thief has not discovered or been alerted to it, but that is becoming far less common as thieves know what to look for.
Apple has never advertised air tag as theft prevention, that's something users made up or wished for.
That's very narrow minded thinking.
People find many ways of using technology that the inventor haven't thought of. That's how things evolve. I am sure the first wheels were not made for a car either.
Correct. Someone stole my scooter that was behind my car in my parking lot, found it 3 blocks from my house a few hours later.
OP, if it says its nearby then you'll be able to easily find it. Good luck on finding your car.
But you shouldn't be blaming apple that it isn't a better anti-theft device, op should have used a steering wheel lock.
Repeat after me:
AirTags are for misplaced items, not stolen items.
AirTags are for misplaced items, not stolen items.
AirTags are for misplaced items, not stolen items.
Apple assisted in a crime?
Better call 911, then call your lawyer and get started on the class action lawsuit.
Good luck. We’re all behind you.
This thread is over a year ago, it's only been bumped back up because a spammer posted in it. The OP is banned, it's probably a bit late for him to find his car now.
Yes. They alerted the thieves that they were being tracked, and helped them avoid being identified.Apple assisted in a crime?
Why the heck not?
Why the heck not?
Why the heck not?
The potential for good is obvious, so solutions should exist to stop illegitimate use. Apple's "solution" now is certainly alerting more thieves than stalking victims. Given that you can't track someone without identifying yourself to Apple, spotting stalkers ought to be easy.
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This isn't about laws. This is about doing the right thing to help people and make society better.
Exactly. Like anti-stalking, which is what the mechanism is for.
Don't forget that the location reported is not the location of the airtag. It is the location of the phone that saw it, when that phone reports it's location. In most cases, it's good enough. Like in luggage. It's good enough to tell you if it's at the destination, or still at home. But if a moving vehicle detects the tag, and that phone does not report immediately, it coud be miles away.
And this is how activism and social progress dies: My issues are the only ones that matter, screw everyone else. Building a better world means caring about the whole world. Think globally, act locally.
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You're materially misunderstanding the intent of the product. Not sure what else to tell you.
Perhaps: If you want an anti-theft solution then buy an anti-theft solution.
It was an anti-theft solution when it first shipped. They took that ability away with a software update. That's the problem. It's use as anti-theft is such an obvious assumption that it is dishonest for Apple not to explicitly say it can't be used that way. The "intended" use is so much more trival, that I doubt most buyers would have bought Airtags if they understood the limitation.
The ad says nothing about such limitations.
AirTag
Attach AirTag to everyday items, like your keys or a backpack, to easily keep track of them in the Find My app.
www.apple.com
BTW, will it notify an Android user that they are being tracked?
It was an anti-theft solution when it first shipped. They took that ability away with a software update. That's the problem. It's use as anti-theft is such an obvious assumption that it is dishonest for Apple not to explicitly say it can't be used that way. The "intended" use is so much more trival, that I doubt most buyers would have bought Airtags if they understood the limitation.
The ad says nothing about such limitations.
AirTag
Attach AirTag to everyday items, like your keys or a backpack, to easily keep track of them in the Find My app.www.apple.com
BTW, will it notify an Android user that they are being tracked?
Here you go, here's Apple's product announcement.
Nowhere does it mention theft.
Apple introduces AirTag
Apple today introduced AirTag, an accessory that works with iPhone and other Apple devices to track and find important belongings.
www.apple.com
It's for finding lost items.
It even mentions the anti-stalking measures:
Sorry, but the misunderstanding is all yours.
Look, if you want to use AirTag for theft protection - Vaya con Dios. But don't complain when "The thief found the AirTag and disabled it!" - that's exactly how it's meant to work.
Keeping people from stalking using AirTags is (obviously) more important to Apple than any benefit from theft protection. Use it to find your keys... Use it to see where your dog got off to... Use it to verify your suitcase made it to Laguardia - all fine. Use it to get your bike or car or whatever back after it's stolen - hey, maybe it'll work out for you. But if it doesn't, Apple's not to blame - YOU are.
I didn't say it mentions theft, I said it encourages the misunderstanding. It DOES say "Only you can see where your AirTag is." which is certainly not true in this important context.
Corporations can, and should, be held responsible for widespread misunderstandings by their customers. That is why those noodle cups say "Do not microwave". It is not enough to just not have microwave instructions. Certainly not when they are sold from vending machines with a microwave next to them.
The anti-theft use is far too obvious for Apple not to actively warn people that it won't work. That fluffy fine print about "finds its way into your stuff" is not a warning.
Why? Is that a reasonable view of their customers needs? Is stalking really doing more damage than theft? Just because you can legalese your way out of it doesn't mean that it is right. Apple needs to look at these two situations objectively and see which one is really worse.
Corporations can, and should, be held responsible for widespread misunderstandings by their customers. That is why those noodle cups say "Do not microwave". It is not enough to just not have microwave instructions. Certainly not when they are sold from vending machines with a microwave next to them.
The anti-theft use is far too obvious for Apple not to actively warn people that it won't work. That fluffy fine print about "finds its way into your stuff" is not a warning.
Why? Is that a reasonable view of their customers needs? Is stalking really doing more damage than theft? Just because you can legalese your way out of it doesn't mean that it is right. Apple needs to look at these two situations objectively and see which one is really worse.
A simple software update could make an AirTag a great anti-theft device with minimal stalking concerns, and will cost Apple nothing.
If you want to use your AirTag in anti-theft mode, just register it with law enforcement for a $40 fee. They will ask for your identification, and and what object your Airtag is connected to. (And perhaps attach it in a secure way.). You are no longer allowed to remove your tag. You also tell them what locations your tag is most likely to be at.
If the tag owner tries to use the tag for stalking, the police will know exactly what is going on and who did it, even if the victim does not. If the item is stolen, the police know who was carrying it around. Either way, something illegal is going on. Either way, human common sense can sort out stalkers and thieves from victims.
If you want to use your AirTag in anti-theft mode, just register it with law enforcement for a $40 fee. They will ask for your identification, and and what object your Airtag is connected to. (And perhaps attach it in a secure way.). You are no longer allowed to remove your tag. You also tell them what locations your tag is most likely to be at.
If the tag owner tries to use the tag for stalking, the police will know exactly what is going on and who did it, even if the victim does not. If the item is stolen, the police know who was carrying it around. Either way, something illegal is going on. Either way, human common sense can sort out stalkers and thieves from victims.
Again, the misunderstanding is obviously entirely yours. It’s not marketed as an anti-theft device, and the anti-stalking capabilities that would prevent such use are well understood.
Use the right tool for the right job.