Shulou(Shulou.com)05/31 Report--

After several follow-up reports, Apple said it plans to improve AirTag protection measures later this year to prevent unnecessary tracking. Specifically, Apple said that when an unknown AirTag traveling with them is detected, users will receive an alert as soon as possible. It can also "tune the order" to make unknown AirTag easier to find, which may make them sound louder and direct people to a mysterious AirTag by using ultra-wideband chips available on newer iPhone.

"AirTag is designed to help people locate their personal belongings, rather than tracking people or other people's property, and we condemn in the strongest terms any malicious use of our products," Apple wrote in a press release. The company also acknowledged that more and more people are using AirTags for malicious reasons and wrote that it is actively working with law enforcement to process all AirTag-related requests.

Most importantly, Apple says it is updating its algorithm to notify users more quickly that they may have unwanted trackers. It also says that iPhone 11, 12, and 13 users will be able to use Precision Finding to accurately see the location of unknown AirTag in scope, something that previously only the owner of AirTag could do. On receiving the alert, Apple also said that when an unknown AirTag plays an audible alert for the first time, it will start sending notifications to iPhone at the same time-currently, if you miss hearing ping's voice, there is not necessarily a notification waiting for you on your iPhone, or vice versa. This measure is designed to help in cases where AirTag speakers may have been tampered with. With regard to audible alarms, Apple also said it would emphasize louder tones in the future.

In the upcoming software update, Apple says that anyone who sets up AirTag will see a new privacy warning that using AirTags for unnecessary tracking is a behavior. The message will also emphasize that victims will be notified after they are found and law enforcement agencies can request identification information about the owner of the AirTag. Apple also said it would update its support documents to include a more detailed explanation of what might trigger an alarm and resources on what to do when an alarm is received.

There are also some major unsolved problems. We don't know when these updates will be available. Apple only said "later this year". Apple also declined to say how long it would be notified in advance. Currently, once an unknown AirTag traveling with them is detected, users will receive an alert within a random period of 8 to 24 hours. It also declined to clarify whether the improved audible alarm would only emphasize a louder tone or would actually play at a volume higher than its current 60 decibels. While improvements in audible alerts will benefit Android users, other features are not particularly useful. Currently, Android users must manually scan unknown AirTag using a separate Tracker Detect application.

Even so, Apple acknowledges that the flaws in its current protection measures are a good thing. Although items and GPS trackers have long been used to track people, Apple has become more and more eye-catching since its launch because of its popularity, ease of use, and relatively affordable price.

"Apple's alert system to notify potential victims of any unwanted tracking helps reveal problems that existed long before AirTags went public," Erica Olsen, director of the National Network to end domestic violence Project, wrote in a statement. "We are pleased that Apple has participated in the dialogue about the safety of victims and continues to improve protection measures. we hope others will follow suit."

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