Apple Adds New AirTag Anti-Stalking Features with iOS 15.4 Beta 4
Apple has been rolling out the developer and public betas of its upcoming iOS 15.4 update that contains manynew features, including the ability touse Face ID with a mask. Now, with the latest iOS 15.4 beta 4 update, the company has rolled out the much-needed anti-stalking features for the AirTag. Have a look at the details.
iOS 15.4 Beta 4 Adds Anti-Stalking Features for AirTag
With the latest iOS 15.4 beta 4 update, Apple has started integrating the new anti-stalking features, which wereannounced recently. These features aim to prevent users from using AirTags for stalking other people orstealing cars. It includesa new warning message during the AirTag setup screen that highlights the legal repercussions of using Airtags for criminal activities.
“Using this item to track people without their consent is a crime in many regions around the world. This item is designed to be detected by victims and to enable law enforcement to request identifying information about the owner,”reads the new setup screen.
This message is for users to know thatAirTags are only meant to track objects like wallets, luggage, or keys, and not peopleor pets.
Other than this, Apple has also made some minor tweaks to the Find My app. The option todisable “Item Safety Alerts”in theapp is no longer available. Instead, Apple now offers “Customize Find My Notifications” and “Customize Tracking Notification,” both of which currently lead to the Notifications settings for the app.
More Changes Coming Soon
Apple has also revealed that it will improve the Find My app to better detect unknown accessories. Currently, if the app detects AirPods or any other Find My network accessory, it shows an “Unknown Accessory Detected” notification to users. However, it will change soon as theFind My app will show the exact product name of an unknown Find My-supported itemto eliminate the confusion about non-AirTag devices. This was also a part of the AirTag update that was announced recently.
Going forward, Apple is expected to add features like an unwanted tracking alert system, louder AirTag sounds, andimproved Precision Finding. This will allow users to easily track an AirTag that is being used for unwanted tracking.
Apple started to focus on the privacy features for its Bluetooth-based tracking device following numerous reports of unwanted stalking and other criminal activities via AirTags. The companyintroduced an Android appto detect unknown AirTags last year, and it evenpublished an in-depth AirTag safety guideto help users prevent privacy issues. The aforementioned is another step to ensure that the device is used for good.
It remains to be seen if Apple would keep these anti-stalking features in the stable build of the iOS 15.4 update, which is expected to release soon. We will update you on this, so stay tuned for further updates.
Dwaipayan Sengupta
A geek at heart, you’ll find me fidgeting with an iOS device or sitting in front of the laptop, scouring the internet to find interesting technological innovations. In my free time, you’d find me playing Valorant or listening to Pink Floyd.
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