Apple Inc. has suffered a setback in a lawsuit that accuses its AirTag devices of facilitating stalking activities. US District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco ruled on Friday that three plaintiffs in the class-action suit had presented sufficient claims for negligence and product liability, while dismissing the others. The lawsuit, filed by approximately three dozen women and men, alleges that Apple was aware of the risks associated with its AirTags and should be held legally accountable under California law when the tracking devices are misused.
The surviving claims in the lawsuit assert that the plaintiffs were stalked due to significant safety flaws in the AirTag, which resulted in their injuries. Apple had argued that it had incorporated “industry-first” safety measures into the AirTag and should not be held responsible for its misuse. However, Judge Chhabria stated that it was premature to determine whether California law required Apple to take further steps to mitigate the effectiveness of AirTags for stalkers.
Apple has not yet responded to a request for comment on the ruling. The company was accused of negligently releasing the AirTag despite warnings from advocacy groups and others that it could be exploited for surveillance purposes. The complaint alleges that the AirTag, priced at just $29, has become the preferred tool for stalkers and abusers. Although Apple introduced a feature that alerts users when they may be tracked by an AirTag, the lawsuit argues that this and other safety measures are insufficient.
Tile Inc., a company offering similar tracking devices connected to Amazon.com Inc.’s Bluetooth network, is also facing allegations that its products lack adequate protections against stalking. The case, titled Hughes v. Apple, Inc., is being heard in the US District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco.
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“Stay hungry, stay foolish.” – Steve Jobs
This quote resonates with the post because it encapsulates the spirit of Apple Inc. and its approach to innovation. Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, often emphasized the importance of curiosity, ambition, and thinking outside the box. “Stay hungry” reminds us to never be satisfied with the status quo and to constantly seek improvement and growth. “Stay foolish” encourages us to take risks, challenge conventional wisdom, and embrace unconventional ideas. This