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Automatic_Praline_70 t1_j9zt6ed wrote

Any time an airtag is following you, you get a notice on your phone and you can make that airtag play a sound.

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tabascodinosaur t1_j9zzd1o wrote

I don't have an Apple device, that isn't a universal solution.

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sucobe t1_ja09nf8 wrote

There’s an app for android phones.

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tabascodinosaur t1_ja0f7qs wrote

But I shouldn't be forced to install this app and keep it running just because some company I don't do business with designed a product in a way that puts the public at risk.

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Likely_Satire t1_ja0h0s5 wrote

If you don't think you should have to download a free app, I don't think you'll be inclined to purchase this device either.
Also; tracking people like this isn't new technology. There are many other brands out there like Tile with less safety precautions which would be better for stalking.
I get people are getting stalked regardless; but it has to be at a WAYYY less rate than more covert trackers.

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tabascodinosaur t1_ja0xkrj wrote

Just because the app is free doesn't mean I should be forced to use it to protect myself.

I'm not purchasing the device, I'm concerned about people tracking folks without their consent.

Tile doesn't phone home via devices with no intervention of the users. Tile is opt-in to send data. My phone won't taddle on me to the Tile servers without my consent. Apple isn't allowing users to choose whether their phone is participating in the tracking network or not.

Other trackers aren't nearly as disposable, available, or covert. A device with a GPS antenna and a modem will run out of battery in a few days. An Airtag can last months.

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Likely_Satire t1_ja19e9q wrote

A quick google search found me a list of comparable luggage trackers (https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-luggage-trackers-and-smart-tags-6826825).
If you scroll down on that link, the 'LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker' seems to fit the exact description I'm going for.
It's small/black, has a high power magnet built in (makes it easy to stick under cars), 4G LTE SIM card capabilities (allows for data to be transmitted once every 3 seconds), and has a battery that can last 1 week - 6 months in low power mode... All for $30 which is the same cost as an Apple Airtag.
Your point is that you shouldn't have to defend yourself because apple made an easily exploitable tag... Which is valid; but my point is very much true that stalkers who care about getting away with tracking you probably wouldn't use a tracker that alerts people It's there if you have a certain phone or get an app. They'll use one like I described or one more capable/expensive and track you with that. This technology isn't as new as you think it is 🤷‍♂️

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dclxvi616 t1_ja2911d wrote

> Apple isn't allowing users to choose whether their phone is participating in the tracking network or not.

Eh? Disable "offline finding" in 'Find My' settings and your iOS, iPadOS, or macOS device won't participate in the tracking network.

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AgnosticStopSign t1_ja07txq wrote

Get one or be left out

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tabascodinosaur t1_ja0fcqw wrote

So the Apple business model is to force people who don't already have their products to buy them or be at risk of stalking by Apple's own products?

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AgnosticStopSign t1_ja0iecx wrote

Apple cant police people. The tags are intended to track personal items. If someone you are/were being intimate with sees you as such, thats very much a you-and-them problem.

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tabascodinosaur t1_ja0x42k wrote

They're enabling it with their tech and the design of the distributed tracking system, where other people's devices can be used to track others without the consent of the parties involved.

You don't need to be intimate, people are having their cars tagged to be stolen later, for instance, by having a airtag thrown into the wheel well. People are being stalked by exes, and their own devices are sending their location back without any way to disable it. This is a bad design.

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AgnosticStopSign t1_ja0z5bh wrote

You keep blaming criminal use for the reason it shouldnt exist as it does.

Following your logic, luxury cars from lets say, bugatti, should be banned because people can abuse their high speed as getaway vehicles, even though theyre intended to be investment vehicles

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GORDON1014 t1_j9zun3n wrote

Does this apply to all phones or just Apple devices

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mavrc t1_j9zzs0t wrote

No. Apple devices only. If you're on Android, you have to install an app in advance, at minimum - haven't tried it myself.

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doggy_wags t1_ja051o1 wrote

Does the app let you track them like on iPhone or does it just warn you if you are being followed?

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blu-juice t1_j9zzd5v wrote

I believe android has an app you can download. Other companies are working on it as well

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Spam_ads_nonrelavent t1_j9zvyvl wrote

Can you make a modified air tag without speaker to play a sound? No

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prob_wont_respond t1_ja2akzy wrote

Well you could dab some hot glue on the speaker I bet

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Spam_ads_nonrelavent t1_ja2anml wrote

It was a sarcasm....

If someone going to use air tag to track you they can easily remove all he speaker.

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