Apple’s newest iOS 15.4 beta adds new anti-stalking features for AirTag that were first announced earlier this month.
The fourth beta release, which rolled out to registered developers on Tuesday, includes a new AirTag setup warning that states it is illegal to use the device to track people without their consent in many regions.
iOS 15.4 adds new AirTag features
Since making its debut, AirTag has unwittingly drawn attention to the fact that it’s incredibly easy to stalk someone with a small tracking device. Of course, that wasn’t Apple’s intention, and AirTag isn’t the first product of its kind.
Plenty of similar trackers exist — many of which were on sale long before AirTag finally hit the market. But thanks to AirTag’s popularity (and because it’s made by Apple), it’s now at the center of the growing privacy concerns.
Apple has begun taking steps to combat stalking without ruining the functionality AirTag was designed to deliver. They include new features in iOS 15.4 that warn users not to be creeps, and better AirTag alerts.
“Using this item to track people without their consent is a crime in many regions around the world,” reads a new warning that appears when setting up an AirTag. “This item is designed to be detected by victims and to enable law enforcement to request identifying information about the owner.”
AirTag gets better anti-stalking alerts
In addition to this warning, iOS 15.4 beta 4 tweaks AirTag’s notification alerts to make it more difficult for unknown AirTags to go undetected. It’s no longer possible to disable “Item Safety Alerts,” but you can customize them.
These changes are just some of the steps Apple is taking to deter AirTag stalking. It also announced Precision Tracking for unknown AirTags, louder AirTag sounds, and additional alerts that will come later.
iOS 15.4 is expected to roll out to everyone next month — likely just after Apple’s spring event, which is rumored to take place on March 8. You can download the fourth beta now if you’re a registered developer.
