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this post was submitted on 05 Aug 2023
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Technology
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I'm not a big Apple person, so I've not really cared about Airtags, so I'm probably missing something. If I don't allow them to connect to my device, how are they a concern?
Edit: I realized I asked my question poorly. I get they're a tracking device. My understanding is they're a Bluetooth device that do not have direct Internet access on their own; how is their location being updated if you're not pairing with them to allow them access to your device?
If someone sticks one to your car, they can track everywhere you go and you’d never realize it. The big thing with AirTags is that they aren’t just local tracking. They have access to the entire FindMy network, which is comprised of every single iOS device. So any time you drive past an iPhone, the AirTag is able to report in with your latest location.
With an iOS device, you’ll get an automatic alert if you’re being followed by an unfamiliar tag that hasn’t connected to its paired device in a while. So like if you’re with a friend, you won’t get alerts for their AirTag because the tag is near your friend’s paired phone. But if that friend drops their AirTag into your bag and you go home, you’ll get an alert that you’re being followed by an AirTag.
I swear I've seen they alert someone that there's an airbag near them that isn't theirs
There has been an app for it, but you had to manually download and run the app to get alerts. It wasn’t an automatic thing like it is with iOS.