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Show HN: Undetectag, track stolen items with AirTag

(undetectag.com)
114 points pompidoo | 7 comments | 15 May 25 15:46 UTC | HN request time: 1.259s | 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?

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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 #
_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 #
1. 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 #
2. andygeorge ◴[15 May 25 19:10 UTC] No.43998282[source]▶
yup. it unfortunately works well in the gun industry
replies(2): >>43999276 #>>44001133 #
3. fortran77 ◴[15 May 25 19:11 UTC] No.43998285[source]▶
A machine that crushes orphrans[sic]? Shut up and take my money.
4. RandallBrown ◴[15 May 25 19:15 UTC] No.43998329[source]▶
Hydraulic presses are sold and they'll do a marvelous job at crushing orphans.
5. int_19h ◴[15 May 25 20:58 UTC] No.43999276{3}[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.)

6. bigstrat2003 ◴[16 May 25 01:51 UTC] No.44001133{3}[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 #
7. andygeorge ◴[16 May 25 11:57 UTC] No.44004320{4}[source]▶
'the gun' by cj chivers is an excellent read, i suggest checking it out