Apple AirTags blamed for Canadian car crime spree

The AirTag privacy controversy continues to rumble on, despite Apple's best efforts to offset the concerns by shoring up the item tracker'south defences.

A law section in Canada says information technology has investigated v carve up incidents since September this yr, where AirTag trackers have been used to steal people'southward cars.

The York Regional Police in Ontario says tech-savvy thieves are hiding AirTag trackers in hard-to-meet areas, such every bit behind the auxiliary ability socket within a truck's tailgate (pictured below).

From there, the thieves are able to track the vehicles to a parking lot or the possessor's house, where they tin can be robbed. From here, the thieves take been able to gain access to the car and apply a simple reprogramming device to activate new keys and ride off into the sunset.

"Thieves typically use tools like screwdrivers to enter the vehicles through the driver or passenger door, while ensuring non to set off alarms," the YRP says (vis TNW). "One time inside, an electronic device, typically used by mechanics to reprogram the factory setting, is connected to the onboard diagnostics port below the dashboard and programs the vehicle to have a key the thieves have brought with them. In one case the new central is programmed, the vehicle will start and the thieves drive information technology away."

AirTag car theft — Prototype credit: York Police Department

Apple isn't the only visitor'south trackers this could be accomplished with and, to be fair, Apple has taken measures to try and negate the potential for stalking and controlling behaviour using AirTag trackers.

Since launch Apple has added features to ensure that a tone is played when an AirTag is separated from its registered possessor (they can't be activated without one) in 8 hours and then in 24 hours. Previously this would have taken 3 days.

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iPhone owners tin also search for an AirTag if they believe one may take been planted on their person. However, if the particular is planted in a discreet location on the outside of their car, it'southward may be difficult to hear those alerts.

Equally a issue of this crime spree, the Canadian cops are recommended parking in locked garages, using a steering wheel local and installing a lock on the information port to prevent thieves accessing this to reprogram the keys.