Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
As worries are raised about stalking incidents using Apple’s Airtag devices, Falls Township-based State Rep. John Galloway plans to introduce legislation to make it illegal for an AirTag to be used for stalking.
In a co-sponsorship memo circulated by the local Democrat’s office in Harrisburg, Galloway said he wants to prohibit Airtags from being used outside of their intended use of locating personal items.
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Apple Airtags were rolled out last year. They are tiny bluetooth devices owners can put with personal items and locate where they are by using their iPhone. The devices cost about $30 and can almost unnoticeable.
In recent weeks, there have been numerous stories in the news about how Airtags have been used to stalk people. The New York Times, CNBC, TV tabloid “Inside Edition” and other outlets have run stories on the threat from Airtag stalking.
“While these small but mighty devices make our lives more convenient by utilizing a tool called precision finding, it is possible that these can be used for ulterior motives,” Galloway said in his co-sponsorship memo.
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Apple has proposed ways to reduce the risk of stalking and introduced a safety guide to help anyone concerned about “technology-enabled abuse, stalking, or harassment.”
Galloway told LevittownNow.com the government needs to get involved and a new law needs to be added to the state criminal code.
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“We shouldn’t be waiting for big tech companies to police themselves,” he said.
If Pennsylvania passes a law related to remote stalking using Airtags, it would be the first in the nation.
Galloway said one of his staffers raised the issue with him late last year after one of her friends had an issue related to remote stalking.
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From there, Galloway began seeing articles on the topic.
“The stories started popping up all over the place,” he said. “Something needs to be done.”
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“This should be something easy to do,” he said.
In working on the legislation, Galloway said he also learned how hard Pennsylvania’s current stalking statues are to prove in court. He said he would look into “tightening up” the existing laws.
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As of this week, Galloway’s proposed legislation has 40 co-sponsors.
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