Apple received dozens of lawsuits for stalking with the help of an AirTag

Brief overview

More than thirty people who claim they were stalked with AirTag trackers have filed separate lawsuits against Apple. Each is treated as a standalone case, because a similar suit in 2022 did not receive class-action status.

What the plaintiffs say
* Apple’s awareness – Every complaint states that the company knew AirTags could be used by dangerous individuals for surveillance, coercion, and violence.
* Inadequate protection – Plaintiffs assert that when the tracker was released in 2021, Apple failed to implement adequate safety measures, and now admits that AirTag still poses a serious threat.
* Complaints and internal documents – From April 2021 through April 2024, the company received over 40,000 stalking complaints. Internal Apple documents revealed that the measures taken “only deter” but do not prevent malicious use of the device.
* Lack of consultations – The company admitted it should have discussed anti‑harassment policies with domestic‑violence organizations before launching the trackers.

Why AirTag is considered dangerous
1. Find My network – The tracker connects to Apple’s network via the nearest compatible device and transmits coordinates to the owner.
2. Cross‑platform detection system – Although Apple deployed a notification system, plaintiffs find it insufficient: an AirTag presence alert may appear only after 4–8 hours, and initially the tracker did not inform the victim for up to 72 hours.
3. Sound signal and modifications – The device has a speaker that can be removed, and silent variants are sold on the market.

Examples of consequences
The media reports numerous stalking cases involving AirTags, including incidents that ended in murder. The tracker “revolutionized” surveillance in scale and simplicity thanks to easy location tracking.

Plaintiffs’ demands
* Compensation for damages
* Penalties against Apple
* Payment for legal fees
* A court order prohibiting further unlawful actions by the company as described in the suits

Litigation process
The judge who handled a similar suit in 2022 refused to grant it class‑action status. He noted differences in U.S. state laws and the individual nature of each stalking case. After the denial, all affected parties were advised to file separate lawsuits within 28 days.