Cart 0

Is That AirTag Yours? Detecting & Dealing with Unwanted Trackers

Posted by Security Team on

Bluetooth trackers like Apple AirTags and Tiles have become incredibly popular. They offer a convenient way to keep track of keys, wallets, luggage, and even pets. Their small size, long battery life, and clever use of crowdsourced location networks make them genuinely useful gadgets in our busy lives.

However, the very technology that makes them effective has also led to discussions and concerns here in Australia about privacy and the potential for misuse. Imagine getting that unsettling 'AirTag Found Moving With You' notification after leaving a busy shopping centre, or finding a small plastic disc stuck suspiciously under your car bumper – knowing what to do is crucial. When a device designed to track items can be easily attached to personal belongings without consent, it raises valid questions. This post aims to inform about how they work, discuss the privacy considerations, and outline sensible steps Australians can take.

Understanding the Technology

These trackers don't typically have their own GPS chips or mobile connections. Instead, they rely on a network effect:

  • Bluetooth Signals: The tracker emits a secure Bluetooth signal.

  • Crowdsourced Network: Nearby smartphones participating in the tracker's network (like Apple's extensive 'Find My' network for AirTags, or Tile's network) detect this signal anonymously.

  • Location Relaying: The detecting phone securely sends the tracker's approximate location back to the owner's account via the internet. This happens in the background, often without the phone's owner being aware.

Features like small size, year-long battery life, and increasing network coverage make them effective for their intended purpose, but also lend themselves to potential misuse if placed without consent.

Why Concerns Have Arisen in Australia

The convenience of Bluetooth trackers is undeniable, but their potential for misuse has generated valid privacy concerns globally, and Australia is no exception. While specific data tracking only the misuse of devices like AirTags or Tiles is still developing, we can look at broader Australian statistics and reports to understand the context:

  • Police & News Reports: Across Australia, police forces in various states (including NSW, Victoria, and Queensland) have issued public warnings and commented on incidents involving unwanted Bluetooth trackers. News outlets have documented cases where individuals have found these devices unexpectedly placed on their cars, in personal belongings, or used in contexts suggesting harassment or attempts to monitor movements without consent. This reflects concerns that cyberstalking is on the rise with technological advances. In response, updates are being considered, and reports suggest that stalking laws could soon cover GPS tracking devices in NSW.

  • Vehicle Security: While overall vehicle theft reasons vary, authorities like the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council note that thieves adapt their methods. Police have acknowledged the potential for small, easily hidden trackers to be used by sophisticated thieves to monitor a vehicle's location prior to attempting theft, adding another layer to vehicle security concerns. For broader context on recent crime trends, including vehicle theft, the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has released its latest data (NSW Recorded Crime Statistics quarterly update December 2024, Media Release).

These points illustrate why the ease of access and discrete nature of modern Bluetooth trackers raise privacy questions. They represent a readily available technology that could unfortunately simplify the methods used in unwanted tracking or contribute to property crime, making public awareness and discussion important.

Taking Sensible Steps: Detection, Neutralisation, and Prevention

Being aware and taking simple precautions can help you manage your privacy in a world with these devices. Here’s a breakdown of practical actions:

1. Detection: Stay Alert

Use Phone Alerts:

  • For iPhone Users: Pay attention to Apple's built-in notifications like "AirTag Found Moving With You". These alerts are designed to warn you about unknown compatible trackers travelling with you.
  • For Android Users: Use Apple's "Tracker Detect" app from the Google Play Store to manually scan for nearby Find My network items. Other third-party scanner apps may also be available.

Manual Sweeps Are Key:

  • Technology alerts aren't foolproof or always immediate. Regular physical checks of your belongings are crucial.
  • Common Hiding Spots: Check vehicles (under bumpers, wheel wells, under seats, glove boxes, charging ports), bags/luggage (linings, pockets, straps), jackets, and even children's belongings periodically.

2. Neutralisation: Take Control Instantly

So, you've found a tracker you don't recognise. The immediate priority is to stop it from broadcasting its location now. Here are your main options:

Option 1: Instant Signal Blocking (Recommended First Step)

  • How: Place the tracker inside a specialised Faraday pouch. These use materials that create a Faraday cage effect, blocking all incoming and outgoing radio signals (Bluetooth, etc.).
  • Pros: Instant signal cutoff, silent, requires no tools, prevents further tracking immediately, gives you time to think.
  • Cons: Requires having a pouch available.

Option 2: Battery Removal

  • How: Physically remove the tracker's battery (e.g., by twisting the cover on an AirTag).
  • Pros: Permanently stops the tracker (until a new battery is fitted).
  • Cons: Requires specific action/tools, may still broadcast while you're trying to open it, could potentially alert the owner it's been disabled.

Option 3: Physical Destruction

  • How: Crush or otherwise physically destroy the device.
  • Pros: Permanently stops the tracker.
  • Cons: Can be difficult, destroys potential evidence for police reports.

Recommendation: For immediate, silent signal cutoff the moment you find a tracker, placing it securely inside a Faraday pouch is often the simplest and most effective first step. It provides instant control and allows you time to safely decide whether to remove the battery later or involve the authorities.

3. Reporting: Involve Authorities if Needed

  • Prioritise Safety: If you feel unsafe or suspect malicious intent, go to a safe public location or directly to a police station.

  • File a Report: Contact your local state or territory police (e.g., NSW Police Force, Victoria Police, QLD Police Service). Explain the situation clearly. The tracker itself, even disabled or in a Faraday pouch, can be important evidence.

4. Prevention: Ongoing Practices

  • Be App Aware: Regularly review Bluetooth and location service permissions for apps on your smartphone.

  • Situational Awareness: Be mindful of your belongings, especially in public places or when leaving your vehicle unattended.

Conclusion: Awareness and Control

Bluetooth trackers are innovative tools with clear benefits. Like many technologies, they also present new considerations for personal privacy. By understanding how they work, utilising the detection features available, performing occasional checks, and knowing the practical steps and tools available – like reliable signal blocking pouches – for managing your privacy proactively, Australians can navigate the presence of these devices confidently.

Stay informed, be aware of your surroundings and belongings, and know the practical steps you can take to manage your digital privacy.

Disclaimer: This information is for general awareness and educational purposes. If you have immediate safety concerns, please contact your local police immediately or seek assistance from relevant support services.

Share this post

← Older Post Newer Post →