California AirTags lawsuit now includes over 150 stalking reports

When Apple first introduced AirTags, it envisioned a solution for people who have trouble finding their belongings, such as keys and wallets. However, soon after its release, bad actors exploited Apple’s network and started using AirTags for stalking purposes. This led to a significant lawsuit in December, accusing Apple of negligence for failing to implement effective anti-stalking safeguards in its popular AirTags. In a recent development, the lawsuit has now expanded to include 38 plaintiffs from 20 different U.S. states, including two individuals residing in Canada and Ireland.

The original lawsuit, which first began with a woman who claimed her ex-boyfriend used an AirTag to monitor her without authorization, accused Apple of negligence, design flaws, unjust enrichment, intrusion upon seclusion, and violations of California state laws. However, with a surge in reported incidents, the lawsuit now includes over 150 police reports in the United States, with a range of harms from financial losses to extreme cases, including murder.

“Every day, I am reminded that me and my daughter are not safe,” said one victim.

Apple’s response

When the lawsuit first began in December, Apple introduced a series of updates to address the stalking issues, including features like louder sounds, Precision Finding, and improved display alerts. Additionally, the company also gave warnings during the AirTag setup process, explicitly stating the illegality of using them to track people.

However, despite these measures, the lawsuit claims that people continue to suffer from stalking attempts made possible by AirTags. This was evident in a case in Georgia, where an individual reported ongoing stalking via AirTags, receiving daily alerts and chimes indicating the persistent presence of the tracking device, thus causing significant stress and anxiety.

Furthermore, some victims also reported an inability to sell their vehicles due to hidden AirTags that mechanics couldn’t locate.

“Other than my friends, do people even believe this is happening? Do they believe me? Do they know how much havoc this has created in my life,” said one plaintiff in the lawsuit.