AirTags Are a Double-Edged-Sword

Apple's AirTags are a mixed blessing, something that has both advantages and disadvantages. They can help you find lost items, but there's also the danger that anyone could easily use one to track you. All it takes is someone dropping one in your belongings or on your person and they'll know where to find you.

One of those small, quarter-sized discs was used to track someone I know very well. She told me how she felt violated and sunken, in a state of fearfulness and nerves.

The intent here is to make you aware of the technology. The high-tech gadgets don't cause abuse. It's reprehensible and cruel people who use the trackers for the wrong reasons. The concept of a double-edged sword is that it's simultaneously good and bad, not either at once.

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Is there any way to protect yourself from being tracked by AirTags? If you suspect you're being followed, and you believe your safety is at risk, contact the police – but they're limited about what they can do within the law. The tough part is finding something small like this, but look, nonetheless, in your car and the pockets of your bag.

There's hardware, like Bluetooth tracking apps, that can help you locate an AirTag, but it won't identify the person who is doing the pursuing. If you are fortunate enough to find the tracker, there is a way to disable it to stop sharing your location by taking it and twisting counter-clockwise and taking the little round battery out. The person on the other end will no longer be able to see your location.

Most importantly, familiarize yourself with this issue and read about protecting yourself if you're the target of stalkerware. Be careful.