I don't own nor use Airtag , but I get alerts. What is going on?

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Level 1

14 points

I don't own nor use Airtag , but I get alerts. What is going on?

Got an alert that an AIrtag of mine had been seen travelling from a location near me. Strange because I dont have any airtags, and the briefcase I carry my laptop and notebooks in does not contain an Airtag. The map provided showed a busline trajectory (of some 3 kilometers) I do indeed use.

There is no Airtag hidden in my belongings, and my 'share location' settings in an iPhone SE are turned off.

Spooky being played on me, or just a bug?

iPhone SE

Posted on Dec 12, 2023 09:41 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

hblnk Author

Level 1

14 points

Dec 12, 2023 11:32 AM in response to Zorksortronz

Thank you Zorks,

Your message explains a possible or hypothetical situation, but it does not assure me.

You seem to say that my GPS data are accessible to others, no matter what, even when they just have an AirTag monitoring their dog or their ugly brown suitcase.

I know you meant well, but my ex lives 7000 kilometers from my busstop, and anyone stalking me would need psychiatric help.

Thans again

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Answer 2

C2000joy

Level 1

12 points

Jul 2, 2024 10:41 AM in response to hblnk

I know this is a late response, but it struck me as something I would do...If I took the bus everyday and the bus was often late or early, I might sneak an airtag onto it so I could see when it was coming. If you ride that same bus each day, the airtag might seem to "follow" you and you'd get an alert suggesting as much. Just a thought.

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Answer 3

Dec 12, 2023 11:56 AM in response to hblnk

P.s the AirTag, if it is on you will be piggy backing your iPhone to send its owner its location.

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Answer 4

Dec 12, 2023 11:57 AM in response to hblnk

They were not monitoring your iPhone GPS data, they can only monitor the Airtag data. But if that dog just happens to follow you home, then the dogs owner would have the dogs route, which just so happens to coincide with your route. You could turn off your phone or change to an android and they would still have the data from the airtag. Your iPhone is only relaying the data from the airtag.

No one is following your phone or you, they are just following that airtag. The reason for the notification is because when airtags first came out, ex's and stalkers WERE using them to track people.

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Answer 5

Dec 12, 2023 12:01 PM in response to hblnk

I'm guessing another passenger on the bus has an airtag in their bag/backpack/luggage. Your iPhone is relaying the airtag location, not the iPhone's location. Pure coincidence that they ride the same bus as you.

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Answer 6

Dec 12, 2023 11:24 AM in response to hblnk

This is a safety feature to notify iPhone owners that they are being followed by an airtag that DOESN'T belong to them. It's meant to let people know they are being tracked, maybe by an ex or a stalker.

It's just coincidence that someone on the bus near you had an airtag that your iPhone was picking up and gave a false alarm.

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Answer 7

hblnk Author

Level 1

14 points

Dec 12, 2023 11:25 AM in response to 100clicks

Thank you 100clicks,

the alert was a message on my phone appearing in the message center, using my Apple ID, not my name. It did not appear in e-mail.

The map joined to the message really scared me, if I may say so. It precisely traced the bus ride I use every morning. Would this be someone or something using the GPS data from my phone? EVen if I were not using an AirTag.

I appreciate all help.

Herman

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Answer 8

Dec 12, 2023 11:53 AM in response to Zorksortronz

Find my is basically warning you that there is an AirTag that Doesn’t belong to you following you around and warning you so then you can take action so then people can’t track you.

or there was someone near you with an AirTag causing a false alarm.

search your pockets, bags , vehicle , clothing and other items you own. Then report the incident if you do happen to find an AirTag and get help in how to stop the tracking process to hide your location.

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