Apple is in the process of rolling out changes to the AirTag firmware to improve a privacy alert that some found to be lacking. Apple emphasized that the AirTag is intended for tracking items, not people, and built in features to help prevent invasive uses, such as stalking or spying. While the AirTag has been well-received by most, incidents of misuse could begin to hurt Apple's brand image, so this is an important update.
The AirTag is a small disc-shaped item tracker that uses advanced ultra-wideband (UWB) technology in combination with Bluetooth and a huge distributed network of iPhone users to help find lost items. Bluetooth beacons are common, but UWB is not and that makes all of the difference, allowing precision of less than one inch and even showing an on-screen arrow that points directly to the lost AirTag. Object finding is easier than ever, but immediately owners repurposed them for pet-tracking and there is a fear that they will be used for spying and stalking people as well. While iPhone owners are alerted to an unknown AirTag traveling with them, Android users don't get notified. An Android phone can use the NFC reader to scan an AirTag, but only if its location is known. This means a devious person could hide the bottle-cap-sized object in a bag or pocket and it may go unnoticed, allowing unwanted tracking. The current implementation does have a deterrent, but many found it too weak to be of any real value.
According to a recent report from CNET, Apple is rolling out a firmware update for the AirTag to help prevent possible stalking and spying concerns by decreasing the time it takes for the alarm to sound. Apple's new AirTag privacy update is rolling out soon and an Android app that alerts to an AirTag moving with the phone is coming in the future. To check whether an AirTag has received the update yet, open the Find My app and tap the items tab. Then select an AirTag and tap the name to see the firmware number. The current version is 1.0.225 and the new version will be 1.0.276.
The AirTag's Privacy Update
The firmware that the AirTag shipped with can detect when the owner's iPhone is not nearby and begins a count. After three days have passed, it will sound an alarm to alert anyone nearby of its presence. This means Android phone owners or those without a smartphone will be alerted to potential misuse of the device, but only after three days of possible tracking. If the tracker comes near the owner's iPhone before three days have passed, the counter is reset, meaning those living in the same house or working together may never get the warning. This was clearly a serious flaw, which Apple has alleviated somewhat with a more frequent alarm.
After the firmware update, the delay between leaving the owner's presence and an alert sounding on the AirTag will vary between 8 and 24 hours. The reason for the randomness is to thwart those with malicious intent, however, it still makes it clear that a person can be tracked for at least eight hours before being alerted to the AirTag's location. In this sense, and while it is much better, it still doesn't prevent abuse. Perhaps Apple's AirTag alarm should sound every four hours or even sooner?
Source: CNET