AirTags Stalking Lawsuit Against Apple Expands With Over Three Dozen New Plaintiffs

Aldohn Domingo, Tech Times 15 October 2023, 10:10 pm

More than three dozen people are suing Apple over its AirTags. Over 150 police reports about stalking activity using the device have reportedly been recorded in the US alone as of April 2022.

Interesting Engineering reported that these victims allegedly terrorized by stalkers using Apple AirTags have joined a class-action lawsuit filed against the tech giant in a California court last December. They are suing Apple for negligence for allegedly failing to prevent stalkers from abusing its AirTag tracking product.

Yahoo reported that 37 people have joined the class action lawsuit, with each victim telling their own stories on how AirTags have made them victims of stalking. Two women initially filed the case last December, and more victims eventually joined the class-action lawsuit.

AirTags have reportedly been turned into "one of the most dangerous and frightening technologies used by stalkers," according to these victims.

The plaintiffs contend that Apple has not taken sufficient steps to reduce the dangers of AirTags stalking, which can result in monetary devastation and even violent crimes.

Most cases are from the US, but there are also victims from other countries, such as Canada and Ireland, who have also joined the lawsuit against Apple. The plaintiffs sued Apple and said that despite being aware of the potential abuse, the company promoted AirTags as "stalker-proof."

The plaintiffs still question Apple's efforts to improve safety features, such as iOS alerts and chimes. They maintained that AirTags remain dangerous and cause emotional distress and fear.

They believe Apple failed to address the inherent risks adequately, leading to a scramble to rectify its failures in protecting people from unwanted and dangerous tracking.

(Photo : Đức Trịnh from Unsplash)

Apple Airtags' Privacy Concerns

Multiple cases have been reported since the release of this popular Apple Bluetooth tracking device in April 2021, leading to concerns from various groups regarding its safety.

According to ABC, Albert Fox Cahn, the executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, explained the danger of the device by saying that "when you're selling a cheap, ubiquitous tracking device, the product is the problem. It really is a question of are you going to stop selling this before more people get hurt?"

CBS reported back in 2022 how influencer Brooks Nader warned her followers after finding an Apple AirTag on her coat. The coat was reportedly hanging behind her on a chair while she waited for a buddy at a restaurant bar.

After visiting several locations, it was only then that the influencer got a notification that an Apple Airtag had been tracking her.

NPR also reported last year that in Canada, AirTags had been discovered in high-end vehicles that would eventually be stolen. According to Canadian law enforcers, numerous accounts of people discovering AirTags concealed in their possessions have also appeared on social media in recent months.

Apple's Past Responses

Apple, through its representative, told the BBC also last year that the tech giant takes "customer safety very seriously and are committed to AirTag's privacy and security."

Apple claimed that it had addressed undesired tracking with its automatic notification system and that "privacy is built-in" to the gadget, with only the owner of the AirTag knowing where it is.

Apple's website has advised users of its multiple safety features that are said to help "discourage tracking without your knowledge," such as its notification feature and its sound feature that sets off an alarm should an AirTag "that isn't with the person who registered it for an extended period of time" is detected.

NPR reported that Apple said it was cooperating with law enforcement on all requests and planned to provide more software updates to make iPhone owners more aware of and find unauthorized AirTags that were trailing them.

According to Ars Technica, court filings reveal that Apple is expected to move to dismiss the lawsuit by October 27, when it is required to respond to the amended complaint.