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| Apple improves AirTag tracking protection |
Apple said it plans to improve AirTag protection to prevent unwanted tracking later this year, following multiple tracking reports.
The company notes that users are quickly notified if an unknown AirTag is spotted traveling with them.
They can also find unfamiliar AirTags more easily by adjusting the order, which allows them to sound louder, while using the ultra-wideband chip in the new iPhones to direct people directly to the mysterious AirTags.
"AirTag is designed to help people find their belongings, not to keep track of their personal belongings or anything else," the company wrote. "We condemn any harmful use of our products."
The company has also acknowledged the growing number of reports of people using AirTag for malicious purposes. She wrote that she actively cooperates with law enforcement on all AirTag-related inquiries.
The company said it is updating its algorithms to notify users about unwanted trackers more quickly.
It also notes that iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and iPhone 13 users can use the exact search to find out where unknown AirTags are in range, something that only AirTag owners were previously able to do.
When it is alerted, Apple also says that when an unknown AirTag first triggers an alarm, it starts sending notifications to the iPhone at the same time. This procedure is intended to help deal with situations where the AirTag might be tampered with.
In terms of audio alerts, Apple also says it will emphasize higher pitched sounds in the future. The company made it clear that anyone who sets up an AirTag will see a new privacy warning stating that it is a crime to use AirTag for spam tracking.
The post also asserts that victims will be notified if they are spotted and that law enforcement can request the AirTag owner's credentials.
Apple will soon warn you about the unknown AirTag
The company also announced that it is updating its support documentation to include a detailed explanation of what might trigger an alert, as well as resources on what to do if you have been notified.
Apple says the updates will roll out later this year. She declined to say how long it took for the notice to arrive.
Users currently receive notifications at random intervals ranging from 8 to 24 hours when an unknown AirTag is detected traveling with them.
While the improvements to sound alerts are good for Android users, the other features are not. Currently, Android users have to manually check for unknown AirTags using the separate Tracker Detect app.
Object trackers have always been used to track people. But since the introduction of AirTag, this phenomenon has become increasingly evident. The reason lies in the popularity of Apple, the ease of use and the price of the AirTag.