'Stealth AirTags' Are Real And A Privacy Nightmare
A seller on Etsy known for modifying Apple's AirTags, location trackers that connect to the company's Find My network, has demonstrated the ability to disable the device's speaker and warning notifications. Despite the profound benefits to having a precision tracker that's easy to use, people have already found ways to abuse the technology. From using AirTags to facilitate theft to tracking other people illegally, it's natural to wonder whether the positives are outweighed by the negatives. A potential modification to AirTags could be the tipping point in the privacy and safety debate.
To combat these privacy concerns, Apple implemented a series of software updates to protect users. When flaws in the software were uncovered — users reported not being notified of unknown AirTags moving with them for long periods of time — the company strengthened the detection speed. Even when Android users expressed concerns about not receiving the safety features that were critical to their privacy, Apple developed an Android app to detect unknown AirTags within range. Though these safety features help mitigate the risks that are presented with the widespread assimilation of personal trackers, they can all become inconsequential if hardware modifications are made.
Related: AirTag Battery Replacement — Apple Says Avoid These Batteries
The seller 'JTEE3D' on Etsy, with hundreds of confirmed sales making modifications to hardware, unveiled a 'Silent AirTag' on the seller's store that boasted a disconnected speaker and no warning notifications. The listing (now removed), which noted its unmodified exterior as a selling point, upsold the original product for the final price of $77.50. It was initially marketed as a solution to prevent
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