AirTags were marketed by Apple as a device that tracks lost items such as keys, bags, or purses. Recently, however, they have been used for more nefarious purposes. The amount of people reporting being tracked by AirTags has become such a problem that a Pennsylvania representative has introduced a law that makes “malicious use” of the Apple device a crime.
According to CBS Pittsburgh, John Galloway (D) is pushing for the Pennsylvania crimes code to prohibit “the tracking of locations or belongings of other without their consent.”
Apple was aware of the potential danger of the problem upon release, stating, “AirTags are designed to track items not people.”
This acknowledgment was not enough. Apple prepared a way to know if an individual is being tracked. If the AirTag has not been registered to the device, a notification appears with a distinct sound, alerting the user that they are being tracked by the device.
Apple products can show how long the AirTag had been tracking the person, where and the most recent time of tracking, according to the BBC.
The AirTags also beep when separated from their owner for too long and Apple has also released an app for non-iOS users so they can protect themselves from unwanted tracking.
According to NBC St. Louis, the best tip to protect yourself from AirTag stalkers is to turn off your Bluetooth connection when not in use. If you do find an AirTag on your person then scan it.
Scanning an AirTag will reveal a serial number which should be provided to law enforcement.
If all else fails and you can’t get rid of the AirTag or disable it, submerge it in water to stop it from functioning, according to the article.
A representative from both NSU Public Safety and Title IX recommended the resources on the Title IX website about stalking and social media safety, in addition to the original safety statement Apple had made, found at https://www.nova.edu/title-ix/stalking.html.
No matter what, the response to an unwanted tracking device on your person is to alert the police and file a report. Even if you do not know who, when or where the tracking started, at least a report can document the incident. The stalker might not just be doing it to you and a report may be able to assist in an ongoing investigation.
Always make sure to check your bag and personal items whenever you go out. In addition to this, bags that have a covering or a zip close, instead of the traditional, open purse, are more secure.
