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Domestic Violence warning over Apple AirTags

Date

24/05/2021

A Current Affair

Apple's new AirTag is incredibly cool, and if anything, works too well.

With this large-button-sized gadget, losing your keys, travel bags, or your car in a shopping centre, might actually be a thing of the past.

Some Apple users have even attached it to their cats and dogs.

All you need to do is connect it with your phone, and it will literally point you in the right direction of whatever item you're tracking - just like a kids game of hot and cold.

"Every Apple device will be constantly searching for Bluetooth signals and these little AirTags are emitting a Bluetooth signal so it's constantly updating its location based on any device around it," technology expert Trevor Long said.

"The people walking past don't even know they're part of the search party, but you've found your keys."

If social media is any indication, the device is going to be very popular, and that's where the concern comes in.

Critics said the size and cost of the AirTag (just $45) opens the door for some users to do the wrong thing.

Domestic Violence New South Wales said in 85 per cent of cases of abuse, devices are used to stalk or track.

"We know that one in six women can confirm that they've been stalked by technology," CEO Delia Donovan said.

"This is now another weapon for perpetrators."

There are laws in all states of Australia which prevent stalking and tracking people, and also protections like Apprehended Violence Orders.

Delia Donovan is the CEO of Domestic Violence NSW. (A Current Affair)
But the Protective Group said it comes across a case everyday where the victim is unaware they are being "monitored", and in most scenarios, the stalker already knows the location of their home and work.

Apple has built a number of security features into the device like alerting someone that a tag is near them.

A Current Affair tested the AirTag and found it took over two days to get an alert.

Stephen Wilson is the CEO of Protective Group, which works with domestic violence victims. (A Current Affair)
The owner of the tag knew the A Current Affair reporters home and work locations and was able to watch as the reporter had lunch, went to the supermarket, gym and the pub – travelling a distance of 25km.

While trackers have always been an issue when it comes to domestic violence the profile of other devices has been relatively low when compared to the high profile of Apple.

Now that Apple has entered the market, some fear it's a game changer because the AirTag is not only easy to use but is also easy to get.

A Current Affair tested the AirTag. (A Current Affair)
Apple told A Current Affair in a statement: "we take customer safety very seriously … AirTag is designed with a set of proactive features to discourage unwanted tracking— a first in the industry".

Having the latest software and an Apple phone as opposed to an Andrioid, can make a big difference, but that is cold comfort for anyone who is on the other end of an AirTag.

If an AirTag user believes there is someone using their AirTag who doesn't have their authorisation the AirTag can be disbabled.

Users can tap it on their Iphone or other compatible devices and instructions will direct users to disable the AirTag from there.

Statement by an Apple spokesperson:
"We take customer safety very seriously and are committed to AirTag's privacy and security. AirTag is designed with a set of proactive features to discourage unwanted tracking— a first in the industry— and the Find My network includes a smart, tunable system with deterrents that applies to AirTag, as well as third-party products part of the Find My network accessory program. We are raising the bar on privacy for our users and the industry, and hope others will follow."

Statement by eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant:
"We know that technology-facilitated abuse is prevalent in nearly all domestic violence cases. While it may not leave physical marks, technology-facilitated abuse can be extensive and cause enduring harm. It may also serve as a red flag for future catastrophic physical violence.

"Women need to be aware of the risk of any device that has tracking abilities. Tracking devices can be small and easily hidden, and reveal a lot about daily patterns, such as where someone exercises or when they leave the house.

"Privacy protections need to be balanced with user safety considerations, particularly if that technology can be weaponised. This is why eSafety has been working with the technology industry for the past three years on our Safety by Design initiative. This would require a company like Apple to assess a range of potential risks upfront and build in safety protections to engineer out misuse.

"We know that domestic abuse perpetrators will exploit any available technology. AirTags use the Find My Phone feature - which is a common method of tracking used by perpetrators.

"While Apple have taken steps to build-in safety features into the design of the AirTags, no device that involves a Find My Phone feature should be considered absolutely safe as determined perpetrators may find creative ways to misuse to engage in coercive control.

"The most important piece of advice - particularly if someone is concerned about their safety - is to disable location services on all their devices (phones, computers etc) and be wary of any tracking items hidden in objects.

Statement by the Attorney General, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, and Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Mark Speakman:
Stalking, including by using a digital device, is a reprehensible practice designed to instil fear in and control its victims. NSW has strong laws in place to hold the perpetrators of such crimes to account. Under the Surveillance Devices Act, a person convicted of using a tracking device to monitor a person's movements without their consent can be imprisoned for up to five years or fined $11,000 or both.

Protective Group CEO Stephen Wilson holding GPS trackers and Hidden Cameras

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