23 votes

I mailed an AirTag and tracked its progress; here’s what happened

11 comments

  1. [11]
    Rocket_Man
    Link
    I find it a bit frustrating that Apple is able to leverage its customers devices like this to implement products/features that in my view have ethical concerns that society hasn't had a chance to...

    I find it a bit frustrating that Apple is able to leverage its customers devices like this to implement products/features that in my view have ethical concerns that society hasn't had a chance to really discuss.

    6 votes
    1. skybrian
      Link Parent
      It's unsettling, but doesn't seem much different from any other organization doing what they want (that's not illegal). Other than scale, which makes all the difference in the world. I don't know...

      It's unsettling, but doesn't seem much different from any other organization doing what they want (that's not illegal). Other than scale, which makes all the difference in the world.

      I don't know who would review this or what criteria they would use to give the go-ahead.

      3 votes
    2. [9]
      teaearlgraycold
      Link Parent
      At least everyone can track Android users now instead of just governments and cell phone carriers. That could be what gets restrictions to human tracking put in place.

      At least everyone can track Android users now instead of just governments and cell phone carriers. That could be what gets restrictions to human tracking put in place.

      2 votes
      1. [8]
        skybrian
        Link Parent
        AirTag is Apple-only.

        AirTag is Apple-only.

        2 votes
        1. [7]
          teaearlgraycold
          Link Parent
          AirTags don't track Apple users that aren't paired with the tag. But if you have Android there will be no warning or notification.

          AirTags don't track Apple users that aren't paired with the tag. But if you have Android there will be no warning or notification.

          4 votes
          1. [2]
            skybrian
            Link Parent
            Oh, I see. Or it could be anyone without a cell phone. Their warning to iPhone users is itself pretty weak. Also, it seems like most other tracking devices wouldn't warn anyone at all? Someone who...

            Oh, I see. Or it could be anyone without a cell phone.

            Their warning to iPhone users is itself pretty weak. Also, it seems like most other tracking devices wouldn't warn anyone at all? Someone who wants a tracker that remains hidden would get something else.

            2 votes
            1. teaearlgraycold
              Link Parent
              Plenty of wrongdoing is just done with what’s on hand. Now that Apple is making these, they will become standard 21st century equipment.

              Plenty of wrongdoing is just done with what’s on hand. Now that Apple is making these, they will become standard 21st century equipment.

              4 votes
          2. [4]
            Greg
            Link Parent
            I haven't looked into AirTags at all - this article constitutes all I know about how they work - could you explain a bit more on how they're connecting to Android devices as well? Is it dependent...

            I haven't looked into AirTags at all - this article constitutes all I know about how they work - could you explain a bit more on how they're connecting to Android devices as well? Is it dependent on having Apple software installed?

            1 vote
            1. [2]
              Diff
              Link Parent
              It's not the presence of Android, it's the absence of Apple that's the problem. If you slip an AirTag into someone's bag, you can track them wherever they go. If they have an Apple device, in...

              It's not the presence of Android, it's the absence of Apple that's the problem. If you slip an AirTag into someone's bag, you can track them wherever they go. If they have an Apple device, in theory their device will alert them if an unfamiliar AirTag is moving with them. But if they have an Android? Or don't have any phone at all? They'll be completely unaware of the potential stalker they're carrying around with them.

              2 votes
              1. Greg
                Link Parent
                Oh I see! Got it, thank you - you'd be relying on other unrelated Apple devices to track them, and knowing they're unaware because they're on Android. That just wasn't clicking in my brain for...

                Oh I see! Got it, thank you - you'd be relying on other unrelated Apple devices to track them, and knowing they're unaware because they're on Android. That just wasn't clicking in my brain for some reason.

                1 vote
            2. teaearlgraycold
              Link Parent
              Sorry, what I mean is that they are NOT connecting to Android devices, thus they provide Android users with no way to know they have an AirTag in their backpack, car, etc. Apple users get alerted...

              Sorry, what I mean is that they are NOT connecting to Android devices, thus they provide Android users with no way to know they have an AirTag in their backpack, car, etc.

              Apple users get alerted to being tracked, though.

              1 vote