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Show HN: Undetectag, track stolen items with AirTag

(undetectag.com)
114 points pompidoo | 19 comments | 15 May 25 15:46 UTC | HN request time: 2.034s | source | bottom

I developed a device that turns an Airtag on and off at specific intervals. Current Airtags are detectable right away and cannot be used to track stolen property. That device allows you to hide an Airtag in your car, for example, and someone that steals your car will not be able to use some app to detect it. The Airtag will also not warn the thief of its presence. After some hours, the Airtag turns on again and you can find out its location. It’s not foolproof, as the timing has to be right, but still useful.

What do you think?

1. wanderer2323 ◴[15 May 25 17:33 UTC] No.43997335[source]▶
You have also developed a device that allows people to use AirTags for stalking.
replies(4): >>43997405 #>>43997420 #>>43998214 #>>43999565 #
2. _QrE ◴[15 May 25 17:40 UTC] No.43997405[source]▶
This. Normal AirTags are just fine for tracking your stuff.

> "(thiefs use apps to locate AirTags around, and AirTags will warn the thief if an unknown AirTag is travelling with them, for example if they steal your car)"

The reason this was introduced is exactly because people used AirTags to stalk others. Advertising that your product turns that off is basically targeting that specific demographic.

replies(3): >>43997555 #>>43997562 #>>43997627 #
3. pompidoo ◴[15 May 25 17:41 UTC] No.43997420[source]▶
As it's 4 hours off / 1 hour on, the device is not very suitable for stalking someone. Also once the AirTag is back on and the person starts moving, they will be alerted that the AirTag is tracking them.
replies(2): >>43997827 #>>43997867 #
4. ◴[15 May 25 17:56 UTC] No.43997555[source]▶
5. Ajedi32 ◴[15 May 25 17:57 UTC] No.43997562[source]▶
That's true. But the advertised use case (tracking stolen items) is perfectly valid.
replies(1): >>43998057 #
6. thebruce87m ◴[15 May 25 18:05 UTC] No.43997627[source]▶
> The reason this was introduced is exactly because people used AirTags to stalk others.

There were anti-stalking features from the start. It didn’t stop the media hysteria however.

7. schmichael ◴[15 May 25 18:26 UTC] No.43997827[source]▶
That’s perfect for finding out where someone lives. Drop it in their bag or jacket at a concert/bar/work/whatever-in-the-evening, and the place they’re likely at in 4 hours is their home.

Not trying to be creepy, I’m just trying to demonstrate how we all need to think like adversaries (eg creeps) when designing products.

replies(1): >>43997895 #
8. hangonhn ◴[15 May 25 18:30 UTC] No.43997867[source]▶
That's not true in all scenarios.

I once donated an infant car seat to a coworker but forgot I had put an AirTag on it. After she had taken it home, her iPhone told there was an unknown AirTag and she texted me. I apologized profusely and she wasn't bothered by it. Nonetheless had I been nefarious, I would have been able to get her home address.

9. fn-mote ◴[15 May 25 18:32 UTC] No.43997895{3}[source]▶
You can probably find out where they live from knowing their name. This application is not a high level of stalking.
replies(2): >>43997926 #>>43998092 #
10. schmichael ◴[15 May 25 18:34 UTC] No.43997926{4}[source]▶
The concert/bar example allows stalking without knowing someone’s name.
11. andygeorge ◴[15 May 25 18:51 UTC] No.43998092{4}[source]▶
> not a high level of stalking

imo no level of stalking is appropriate. while this device might not do everything a stalker wants it to, it surely makes it easier for them

12. ◴[15 May 25 19:03 UTC] No.43998214[source]▶
13. andygeorge ◴[15 May 25 19:10 UTC] No.43998282{4}[source]▶
yup. it unfortunately works well in the gun industry
replies(2): >>43999276 #>>44001133 #
14. fortran77 ◴[15 May 25 19:11 UTC] No.43998285{4}[source]▶
A machine that crushes orphrans[sic]? Shut up and take my money.
15. RandallBrown ◴[15 May 25 19:15 UTC] No.43998329{4}[source]▶
Hydraulic presses are sold and they'll do a marvelous job at crushing orphans.
16. int_19h ◴[15 May 25 20:58 UTC] No.43999276{5}[source]▶
FWIW the vast majority of guns sold to civilians never get discharged at anything other than pieces of paper.

(And quite a few never get used at all - "safe queen" is a well-established term for a reason.)

17. cryptonector ◴[15 May 25 21:38 UTC] No.43999565[source]▶
AirTags are already that. There's videos on YouTube on how to disconnect the speaker that allows AirTags to warn the stalking victim.
18. bigstrat2003 ◴[16 May 25 01:51 UTC] No.44001133{5}[source]▶
And you can use hammers to brutally murder people as well as to drive in nails. You can use a screwdriver to grievously wound someone besides using it to repair your glasses. The fact that a tool can be used for bad things does not negate the good things it can be used for. Nor does it mean that the maker is responsible if someone chooses to use it for bad things.
replies(1): >>44004320 #
19. andygeorge ◴[16 May 25 11:57 UTC] No.44004320{6}[source]▶
'the gun' by cj chivers is an excellent read, i suggest checking it out