iOS 15.4 Beta 4 Includes AirTags Anti-Stalking Changes

The newly released fourth beta of iOS 15.4 introduces the anti-stalking AirTag changes that Apple announced earlier this month, providing a setup warning that using an AirTag or another Find My-linked item to track someone without consent is a crime.

apple id warning
"You can locate this item using the Find My network," reads the setup screen. "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."

With this warning, Apple wants to make it clear to those who would use AirTags and Find My-compatible devices from third-party companies as stalking tools that such a use case is illegal and has criminal repercussions. Apple earlier this month said that the warning would be added to an upcoming update.

Apple also said that it would address a bug that was causing confusion around unwanted tracking, a change that is also likely in the new beta. AirPods can cause an "Unknown Accessory Alert" warning that some people were interpreting as a notice from an AirTag. ‌‌AirTags‌‌ are not able to display the "Unknown Accessory Detected" messaging, which is caused by AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, third-generation AirPods, and in some cases, a ‌Find My‌ network accessory.

Going forward, Apple is making sure that all accessories properly identify themselves so there is no more confusion about non-AirTag devices.

We have confirmed the messaging changes are in the current iOS 15.4 beta, and Apple has also made some other minor tweaks as well. In the ‌Find My‌ app, there is no longer an option to toggle off "Item Safety Alerts," with Apple instead offering "Customize ‌Find My‌ Notifications" and "Customize Tracking Notifications" options.

find my graphics changes
At the current time, both of these options redirect to the Notifications options for the ‌Find My‌ app, and it's not clear if Apple will change that in the future with more granular settings to select from.

Later this year, Apple plans to introduce additional anti-stalking measures that include support for Precision Finding for unknown ‌AirTags‌, display alerts that pop up whenever a sound is played, and louder AirTag sounds.

Related Forum: iOS 15

Top Rated Comments

Analog Kid Avatar
17 months ago
”If you have purchased this Airtag to track a person without their consent then we recommend that you return it to your nearest Apple Store and instead use a technology better suited to the task, such as Facebook.”
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GenesisST Avatar
17 months ago
"Using this item to track people without their consent is a crime in many regions around the world."

That will stop them!
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sphincty Avatar
17 months ago

This will make it harder for my old lady to see when I’m stepping out on her
She mentioned that the other day while she was making me breakfast...
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
17 months ago
This is honestly a great addition to the AirTags.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
17 months ago
They need to make some hardware changes too. If someone tries to tamper with the speaker, it needs to deactivate the whole thing. I do think updated AirTags are coming soon with the amount of pressure Apple is facing with this.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BootsWalking Avatar
17 months ago
Each update to address anti-stalking makes AirTags less useful as an anti-theft tracking device. I realize Apple never advertised this use case but it's unquestionable Apple knew many would buy them for this purpose.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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