Apple AirTags modified to be completely silent are being sold online

Modified Apple AirTags are being sold online. They are offered with speakers disabled.

In order to avoid misuse and in particular to combat stalking or simple espionage, Apple has implemented a certain number of protection features in its AirTag in this sense. This includes, for example, a software feature that alerts users if the system detects an unknown AirTag nearby, as well as a hardware feature that allows the AirTag to make a sound if they happen to be away from their owner.

Modified Apple AirTags are being sold online

This works both ways. Understand that these measurements can help locate an inappropriate item that has an AirTag attached to it, while at the same time informing users that an unknown AirTag is following them. That being said, it looks like some people have started selling modified AirTags online with the speakers disabled.

The discovery was made by Eva Galperin, director of cybersecurity at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), who found a list of such modified AirTags on Etsy. The ad in question has since been removed, and according to the seller, these changes were made for completely innocent reasons.

They are offered with speakers disabled

The seller provided PCMag with the following statement: “The purpose of this change was to satisfy several requests from buyers interested in my other AirTag product who wanted to place the AirTag on their bike, pet, or other power tool.”While this reasoning may be perfectly valid, it’s safe to say that other people will use them for more dishonest reasons.

Apple has a growing concern about protecting privacy with AirTag, and it’s time for the Cupertino company to take charge of the matter before it becomes impossible.