Can AirTag be used to spy on other people?

Launched during the Spring Loaded event taking place on April 21, AirTag is a card that helps locate objects. Those who often forget their backpacks, keys, wallets . can attach AirTag to find them more easily.

Combined with the Find My app on iPhone, iPad and the global iOS device network (Find My network), AirTag users can locate the device even when the device is out of Bluetooth coverage.

'If the AirTag gets lost and out of Bluetooth coverage, the Find My device network can locate it . Make use of billions of Apple products around the globe, they will catch the lost Bluetooth emitted by the AirTag. the owner's device location anonymously and privately, '' Apple shares AirTag's location feature.

As such, AirTag does not have GPS. This means the device cannot notify the real-time location to the user. Besides, GPS allows independent operation, no need for range of connection like AirTag. Having range of connectivity means that AirTag may be out of network coverage. If the device is out of Bluetooth coverage and is not near any iPhone, the AirTag will not be able to display the exact location.

In addition, Apple claims the location is not saved in AirTag, data transmitted to the Find My app is also end-to-end encrypted.

After being launched by Apple, many people said the Find My network was a loophole, making AirTag can be abused to track other people. However, according to Mashable, Apple has designed a special feature on AirTag to help prevent this.

Specifically, Apple describes that iOS devices can detect lost AirTag from its owner. Also plays a notification if an AirTag moves with them from one place to another.

If the tracked person is not using an iOS device, the AirTag itself will play an alert bell while on the move to get attention (if it is lost from the owner for a long time). If detecting strange AirTag, users can turn it off by touching iPhone or NFC-enabled device and then following the instructions.

However, Apple has not yet said what the ringing will be from AirTag. The time it takes for AirTag to ring the bell since leaving the owner's hand has not been revealed. Therefore, using AirTag to spy on others is still worrying experts.