A gaggle of bipartisan lawmakers in Ohio has launched a invoice to criminalize AirTag stalking. If handed by the state legislature, HB672 would “prohibit a person from knowingly installing a tracking device or application on another’s property without the other person’s consent.”
Ohio lawmakers determined to sort out the rising downside of distant tracker stalking after 3News lobbied the federal government to take motion. In February, the information station discovered a loophole in state legislation that enables these with no prior report of stalking or home violence to trace somebody with out potential penalty. According to an investigation by the outlet, fewer than two dozen states have enacted legal guidelines in opposition to digital monitoring, Ohio being among the many group that has not drafted particular laws in opposition to the conduct.
A current report from Motherboard urged AirTag stalking isn’t a problem restricted to a couple high-profile incidents. After the outlet requested any information mentioning AirTags from a dozen US police departments, it acquired 150 experiences. Of these, 50 concerned instances the place ladies thought somebody was secretly utilizing the machine to trace them.
In February, Apple stated it could implement extra security options to forestall AirTag stalking. Later within the yr, the corporate plans so as to add a precision discovering function that may enable these with iPhone 11, 12 and 13 collection gadgets to search out their method to an unknown AirTag. The device will show the route of and distance to an undesirable AirTag. Apple stated it could additionally replace its undesirable monitoring alerts to inform folks of potential stalkers earlier.
“AirTag was designed to help people locate their personal belongings, not to track people or another person’s property, and we condemn in the strongest possible terms any malicious use of our products,” the company said at the time. “We design our products to provide a great experience, but also with safety and privacy in mind. Across Apple’s hardware, software, and services teams, we’re committed to listening to feedback.”