Two women have filed a lawsuit against Apple in California, alleging that AirTags were used to stalk and harass them. The device costs £35 and can be used to track personal items like keys and wallets. However, domestic violence activists have warned that this technology can be easily exploited for covert surveillance.
In the lawsuit, Apple is accused of failing to provide adequate safeguards to prevent potential stalkers from using the device. The British newspaper "The Times" quoted one of the plaintiffs, Lauren Hughes, stating that her ex-boyfriend placed the device in her car to track her. The other plaintiff claimed she was harassed by her ex-husband, who tracked her movements, discovering the device in her child's bag.
The filing, in which the plaintiffs seek unspecified damages, suggests the company was involved in the death of a woman in Akron, Ohio, and the death of a man in Indianapolis, Indiana. The devices operate by sending a Bluetooth signal that can be detected by nearby devices, such as iPhones and iPads. In February, Apple announced an update to make tracking individuals without their knowledge more difficult.
