Wow! I am ok with trackers being an option on almost anything.

How interesting! That's quite the trip!

Interesting what kind of documentation the thieves have developed that prevents the police from seizing such identified vehicles while still nearby ... or still in the originating country.

Pretty frustrating - if you're the (becoming ... former) owner of the classy thing!!

ole joyful

An interesting story......learned a few new somethings...people here put airtags on their pets collars. I'd love to buy a few...now.

How apropos!

I’ve just finished packing for a vacation and my husband has stuck trackers in our suitcases. My underwear and shampoo are safe.

🙂 Interesting article.

Would thieves know, nowadays, to look for an Airtag on a car? I'm not familiar with them (still have Android), but I thought that if you have an iPhone, and if someone put an Airtag into your car, that your iPhone would notify you somehow. I love the idea for finding your car in a stadium parking lot, or finding it if it's stolen, or for putting on pets' collars, but I would have some concern about being stalked or tracked by someone.

For finding a car in a large open air parking lot or in an urban grid you're unfamiliar with, you can either mark the spot in a map app and navigate back to it later or use one of the Find My Car type apps to do the same. They use the GPS location. Both Android and iPhone versions available.

Surprised no one got notified at some point. I guess no one stuck with the vehicle for any length of time.

I'm not sure what the legal situation of that car (with the VIN confirmed as the one stolen) is or isn't. The report seemed unclear about that. I just thought it was an interesting application of AirTags.

Elmer, it is definitely an interesting article, and I’m not sure the owner ever had a thought about the car ending up in such a far away location. I wouldn’t but thieves are a different sort.

I recently read that contractors are using several in their large work trailers, putting them in an isolated place on the trailer and on random tools inside the trailer. The too tools are often taken out of state to be pawned and the trailer eventually repainted, altered and sold.

I didn’t think cars were stolen anymore except to commit other crimes, then ditched.

I know someone who put an airtag on their water bottle. If they forget it somewhere, they can find it, especially helpful if someone else picks it up, or takes it to a lost-and-found, etc etc.

I need one of those on my glasses!!

I read an article yesterday where a parent puts one in her child's school bag, in case something happens to her. Several commented that she wouldn't have time to grab her bag, so it was pretty much useless. If she has long hair, they often conceal it in her ponytail then make a top knot.

" but I would have some concern about being stalked or tracked by someone. "

That is still a concern, though Apple has made some changes since it was first released. If an AirTag is moving with you (i.e with your phone), you will get an alert on your phone (visually at least, maybe audible) - it has to be moving with you, so it won't alert you right away - that way you're not alerted very time you're next to one on the bus or in an airport. The problem can be finding it, since they can be hidden pretty well if someone wants to do so.....There are reports of them being inside wheel wells or behind the tow hook cover of cars.

If you want to do more than just find and disable it, the user who is tracking that Tag can be identified by Apple, but they would need a "valid request from law enforcement" - so if you think you're being stalked, that can help.

Was the reason the AirTag went offline for 3 weeks because it was during transit and likely not near any iPhones or not in range of any cell towers?

I saw a program in TV that illuminated how high end vehicals are stollen and shipped out of the country. I think one episode was on the program Trafficked.

I know someone who puts them with her children. She has an irresponsible Ex who drives too fast and I think uses drugs or drinks too much.

I believe (for what it’s worth) that it’s illegal to track individuals without their permission.

That is a great idea to put one in a pet collar.

But then you have to buy your dog an iPhone?

" That is a great idea to put one in a pet collar. "

I see them every now and then on dog collars, but so far none of the owners have said they have had to use them (yet).

I use a less expensive bluetooth tracker from Tile - I have one on my keys, and one on my stethoscope. They're really just for when I lose track of them nearby - somewhere in the house or office - and they work well. I like them because I can also use the Tile tag to find my phone.

I’ve been thinking of putting one in my parent’s car as they are starting to decline mentally, but I don’t know if there’s a way to keep them from being notified. IIRC, if an AirTag that doesn’t belong to you travels with you, you will be notified that you are being tracked. Please correct me if I’m wrong.

Yes, if they have an iPhone they will be notified that an AirTag is monitoring their location, and it could be illegal for you to track someone's movements without their consent (i.e. stalking them). Have you talked with them about giving up their car keys?

"If she has long hair, they often conceal it in her ponytail then make a top knot."

Do they not know or care about the psychological damage this might inflict on a child, knowing they are constantly being tracked?

@Toronto Veterinarian, the idea of giving up the car keys probably will never be a conversation we would have as it would only result in a horrible argument. The family does its best to ensure that they never have a need to drive themselves, but we can’t cover them 24/7. They really need to be in an assisted living situation of some kind, but are resistant to the idea of spending the money for either in-home aides or an alternative AL apartment situation.

" Do they not know or care about the psychological damage this might inflict on a child, knowing they are constantly being tracked? "

Do you not know that they may have already discussed it with the child?

My husband is a T1 diabetic. He's had some extremely low blood sugar issues and has become disoriented while driving, although it has been years since the last event. (That one triggered us getting a CGS device which has dramatically changed his (our) life.)

Anyway. Sometimes he forgets to take his phone with him, so I got an Apple Air tag and we put it in the bed of his truck. The tag itself beeps periodically, and in bed of his truck he can't hear it, so it doesn't annoy him. It's tied to my phone where I can track him if necessary.

It's just another layer of protection in our opinion.

If my 87 yr old parents lived in our area, I'd put one in their car. Right now I can track my Mom by her phone. She's fully aware, as she tracks me too. That's another conversation... LOL