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Show HN: Undetectag, track stolen items with AirTag

(undetectag.com)
114 points pompidoo | 6 comments | 15 May 25 15:46 UTC | HN request time: 1.314s | 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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anonymousiam ◴[15 May 25 22:49 UTC] No.44000140[source]▶
A poor workaround to a problem created by unnecessary restrictions. Stalking is already illegal, so why are the tags crippled in the first place? This "feature" severely limits the usefulness of tags for tracking stolen items. Why not just sell some tags that don't alert everyone to their presence? Police and intelligence agencies have those already, so who are we protecting?
replies(2): >>44000160 #>>44000392 #
pavel_lishin ◴[15 May 25 22:54 UTC] No.44000160[source]▶
Breaking and entering is already illegal, why do people sell locks?
replies(2): >>44000222 #>>44000543 #
tedunangst ◴[16 May 25 00:01 UTC] No.44000543[source]▶
Locks keep the dyslexic realtor from showing my house to people interested in the neighboring property.
replies(1): >>44000818 #
1. ruined ◴[16 May 25 00:54 UTC] No.44000818[source]▶
yeah, but they do nothing to stop a locksmith in a fugue state from rekeying all the bolts to match the neighboring property and vice-versa, and then the realtor can walk right in, and you're locked out!

so it's better to just leave the door open.

replies(1): >>44000891 #
2. amazingamazing ◴[16 May 25 01:07 UTC] No.44000891[source]▶
You’re proving the other persons point - the reason why the a thief doesn’t trivially pick locks isn’t because of the lock, it’s because it’s illegal and there’s a consequence.
replies(2): >>44001785 #>>44010666 #
3. throwaway290 ◴[16 May 25 04:14 UTC] No.44001785[source]▶
Yes it's illegal and there's a consequence but do you care about it after you've been robbed?
replies(1): >>44003063 #
4. amazingamazing ◴[16 May 25 08:36 UTC] No.44003063{3}[source]▶
You could say the same with a lock. Do you care once it’s broken?
replies(1): >>44004212 #
5. throwaway290 ◴[16 May 25 11:45 UTC] No.44004212{4}[source]▶
The point of a lock is that it's something to break. That takes skill and visible equipment. The more skill yoo require the more likely the smart guy would do better things to earn money than crime. the more visible equipment the easier it is to track.
6. ruined ◴[16 May 25 23:19 UTC] No.44010666[source]▶
consequences for doing something illegal never stopped me from picking a lock, actually. they've only stopped me from stealing