Apple announces improved privacy for AirTag and releases dedicated app for Android

It has been revealed that Apple is planning an update to improve the privacy of its genuine drop tracker, AirTag. Apple is adjusting the time it takes to sound an alert if AirTag is lost, and plans to release an Android app that detects AirTag in late 2021.

Apple announces AirTag privacy improvements, Android app coming this year --9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2021/06/03/airtag-privacy-improvements-sound-android-app/

According to CNET reports, Apple released an AirTag firmware update on June 3, 2021 local time. The firmware will be updated automatically when AirTag is within range of the connected iPhone.

With this firmware update, if AirTag leaves the user, an alarm will be played randomly every 8 or 24 hours. Until now, the alarm wouldn't play until more than three days had passed since AirTag left the owner's hand.

AirTag can be detected not only on iPhone but also on Android devices, and even if you do not have a dedicated application, you can access the owner's information from the web page by bringing AirTag close to the NFC area of Android. However, Apple also revealed that it is developing an Android-only app to enable it to detect AirTag and 'Find My' network-enabled devices from Android devices as well. The Android app will be released in the second half of 2021.

Lost 'AirTag' can be read not only on NFC-compatible iPhone but also on Android-GIGAZINE

Apple has stated that AirTag's firmware update 'includes the industry's first aggressive feature to prevent unwanted tracking.' In addition, Apple will continue to work to improve privacy and security in AirTag, Apple explained.

Since the Android app is just for detecting Find My compatible devices, Apple-related media 9to5Mac says, 'It seems that Android users will not be able to use AirTag.'

This firmware update for AirTag was released after the Washington Post and others reported that 'AirTag makes it easy to stalk.' The Washington Post said, 'AirTag will start to sound three days after it's been away from its owner, so if an abusive partner you meet on a daily basis puts AirTag in your lover's luggage, you'll get an alarm. I can continue stalking without getting rid of it. ' As a result, it seems that the time it takes for AirTag, which is far from the owner's hand, to sound the alarm has been significantly shortened.