Criminals and individuals with malicious intent have been utilizing AirTags to monitor and track their targets. A recent incident in Goshen, Connecticut highlights the importance of anti-stalking warnings for Apple users.
A woman reported finding an AirTag concealed within one of her car’s wheels after receiving a notification alerting her to the possibility of being tracked. Initially, she believed the notification was triggered by an Apple device belonging to a family member. However, after receiving another alert a month later, she decided to inspect her vehicle for potential AirTags.
Upon discovering the tracker, she secured it in a plastic bag and promptly delivered it to the local police department, specifically Troop B. An investigation was initiated by the police, who utilized the AirTag’s serial number to contact Apple in order to obtain information regarding the owner.
The response from Apple was swift, with the police receiving information in May indicating that the AirTag belonged to an individual named Anthony Margo, who resided in Torrington.
Locating Torrington proved to be a challenge for the officers, as they eventually made contact with the suspect, who claimed to have relocated to Bridgeport. However, attempts to arrange a meeting with the individual were met with obstacles, as he consistently failed to answer phone calls. Nearly a year later, the police successfully tracked down the suspect, obtained a warrant, and took him into custody. Subsequently, he was released on a $10K bond.
This case underscores two crucial points. Firstly, law enforcement must treat these cases with greater urgency and efficiency, particularly given the potential for individuals who surreptitiously place AirTags in someone’s vehicle to have more sinister intentions. The woman involved in this incident stated that she had never met the suspect and had no knowledge of his identity.
Secondly, while Apple’s anti-stalking alerts proved effective in this instance, they should be more frequent and employ clearer language to ensure potential victims are fully aware that their location may be tracked. The woman stated that she was unaware of the presence of an AirTag in her car when she initially received the alert.
Apple is currently developing the second-generation AirTag, which is expected to offer enhanced anti-stalking measures and improved precision. However, the release of this new model is not anticipated until 2025, as Apple deems the current version to be sufficiently advanced in terms of both privacy and accuracy. Sources familiar with the matter suggest that Apple is currently working to sell off the existing inventory of first-generation AirTags in preparation for the launch of the second-generation model. Consequently, significant discounts are currently available for the current model, making it an opportune time to purchase the device (or the four-AirTag pack) if you are interested.
According to the Source autoevolution.com