An Oregon woman is suing Apple after her ex-boyfriend turned an AirTag into a stalking device.
Here's what to know
Jane Doe, a Medford resident, says a January 6 vehicle inspection uncovered an AirTag hidden beneath her car. She alleges her ex-boyfriend put it there to track her movements. In her suit against Apple, she says her iPhone never warned her that the tracker was traveling with her, OregonLive reported.
AirTags use Bluetooth and Apple's Find My network by communicating with nearby iPhones and iPads, which can then pass location information to a map. Apple says an iPhone should alert someone if an unknown AirTag appears to be moving with them for an extended period.
Apple says the first safeguard is an "Item Detected Near You" notice that can help a person find the tracker. If it remains with that person even longer, the company says the AirTag should start making periodic chirping sounds.
In this case, the lawsuit claims both of those safeguards failed. The complaint also says Medford police filed a stalking charge involving a GPS device against the former boyfriend.
More background
The woman's attorney, Erick J. Haynie, says the alleged tracking happened alongside verbal and written threats, property damage, and severe stress.
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OregonLive reported more than 30 similar suits have been filed against Apple after a federal judge in California declined to certify a class action in March.
The complaint also alleges that Apple's own data showed more than 40,000 stalking complaints tied to AirTags between 2021 and 2024, but that the company failed to put adequate anti-stalking protections in place.
What's being done?
She is seeking damages and a court order to stop Apple from selling AirTags unless it adds what the lawsuit calls adequate anti-stalking safeguards.
The suit states, "The low cost and wide availability of AirTags has democratized stalking, making it accessible to virtually anyone with $29 and an iPhone."
Where can I learn more?
Here are some more stories on Apple product controversies and lawsuits.
• Apple's Maps update added ads in the Maps app, frustrating users tired of constant promotions.
• Reporters Without Borders urged Apple to remove a disturbing new Apple AI feature over reliability concerns.
• Apple faced a lawsuit alleging Watch wristbands are unreasonably hazardous because of PFAS chemicals.
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