Joe from ‘You’ would love the Apple AirTags

It turns out Apple’s AirTags make it very easy to stalk someone…

Apple has just released a much needed software update for Apple’s AirTags following major concerns they can be used to covertly track people. 

The AirTags were released in April and were promoted as a way for people to keep track of their belongings. At the time many warned that the device, which is roughly the same size as a coin, (they can be sold separately without a key chain) could easily be used to find someone’s location. “AirTags are easy to hide in a target’s bag or car, giving an abuser an easy way to track their location,” explains Wired.

Back in April Apple had explained that they had implemented features which would stop misuse, and prevent them from being used to track or stalk someone. If an iPhone detects that a new AirTag is “following them,” it displays an alert. However people who own Android smartphones, do not see this on-screen warning.

Several users such as Brenda Stolyar tried slipping AirTags into their friends bags to see if the AirTags could be used to follow them, and it worked with impressive accuracy, revealing their exact location, giving us major Joe Goldberg vibes.

Following the new update, the AirTags themselves will beep if they are away from their owner's iPhone - at a random time between eight and 24 hours - to alert people nearby. However many fear this won’t be enough to stop the misuse of these devices as sometimes the beeps can’t be heard above traffic or household noises..