The Dearborn Police Department is releasing public guidance to raise awareness about illegal uses of Apple Airtags.
GPS devices from Apple are being used to illegally track individuals, target vehicles for potential theft
DEARBORN — The Police Department is releasing public guidance to raise awareness about illegal uses of Apple Airtags.
These quarter-sized tracking devices were designed by Apple Inc. as item trackers to locate wallets, car keys and other personal items. However Airtags have been found behind license plates, between and underneath car seats, and in people’s personal items such as purses, said Sgt. James Isaacs, head of the Dearborn Police Technical Investigation Unit.
The tags are used to track vehicles and individuals for potential illegal activity such as larceny, auto theft and stalking. According to Dearborn police, Dodge Chargers are frequently targeted for such illicit tracking activity.
In Michigan, it is illegal for a private citizen to track anyone with a GPS tracker without the other party’s knowledge.
Sgt. James Isaacs and Cpl. Dan Bartok give tips and information on how residents can stay alert to this crime trend in the video.
Apple Airtags work through connecting to a Bluetooth signal on your iPhone. If you are being tracked, your iPhone should alert you. Users of Androids will need to download the Apple Tracker Detect app and manually scan their surrounding area to get this type of alert notification.
If you’re alerted that an Airtag is in your vicinity, or you think someone may be following you, immediately call 911, and be prepared to provide the serial number stated in the phone alert.
If anyone information about this kind of activity in their community, they can call the Police Department’s anonymous phone line, 313-943-3030, at any time.