New Apple AirTag Lawsuit: Allegations of Inadequate Protection Against Stalking

A new lawsuit filed by two Michigan women alleges that their former romantic partners used hidden Apple AirTags to track them without their knowledge or consent. The complaint asserts that Apple has failed to provide adequate safeguards against the misuse of its AirTag tracking devices, which are alleged to have been used for stalking and harassment. The Apple AirTag stalking lawsuit was filed last month in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

What Do Apple AirTags Do?

Apple introduced the AirTag in April 2021 as a compact tracking device designed to help users locate personal belongings such as keys, bags, and luggage. The device utilizes Bluetooth technology and connects to Apple’s extensive “Find My” network, allowing users to track their items through the “Find My” app. While the AirTag was marketed as a tool for convenience, concerns have emerged regarding its potential for misuse.

Allegations Raised in the Apple AirTag Lawsuit

In the Michigan lawsuit, the plaintiffs, identified as Jane Doe-1 and Jane Doe-2, claim that Apple was aware of the risks associated with the AirTag from the outset. They argue that the company knew the device could be exploited by individuals with malicious intent to track and harass others. The Apple AirTag lawsuit goes on to say that Apple allegedly received more than 40,000 complaints related to stalking incidents involving AirTags between 2021 and 2024.

The lawsuit details specific incidents involving the plaintiffs, who have chosen to remain anonymous for safety reasons. One plaintiff, a resident of Birmingham, Michigan, alleges that her ex-partner used an AirTag to track her movements. She reported that he appeared at various locations she visited, despite not informing him of her whereabouts. The situation escalated when her son discovered an AirTag concealed in her vehicle, prompting them to dispose of it in Lake Huron.

The second plaintiff, from Madison Heights, claims that after leaving an abusive relationship, she moved to a new apartment without disclosing her address to her former partner. However, he allegedly found her at her new residence on the same day she moved in. An AirTag was later discovered hidden in her car, which she did not detect until a friend with an iPhone received an alert.

Plaintiffs Challenge the Adequacy of AirTag Safeguards

Although Apple has introduced measures intended to discourage unwanted tracking, the Michigan plaintiffs argue that additional protections could have been incorporated into AirTags. Their lawsuit identifies several proposed safeguards, including identity verification before a tracker can be activated, stronger detection capabilities across different types of smartphones, louder speakers that are more difficult to disable, and periodic authentication requirements for AirTag owners.

The plaintiffs also challenge how quickly users are warned about an unknown AirTag traveling with them. Their allegations focus not only on whether a warning is eventually provided, but whether that warning comes soon enough to prevent someone from being unknowingly tracked for an extended period.

What Are the Michigan Plaintiffs Claiming Against Apple?

The Michigan lawsuit raises several legal theories against Apple, including negligence, defective product design, invasion of privacy, and alleged violations of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. The plaintiffs contend that Apple knew AirTags could foreseeably be misused for stalking but continued to sell the devices without adequate protections.

The plaintiffs are seeking damages and other relief. They have also asked the court for injunctive relief related to Apple’s practices surrounding the design, manufacture, and sale of AirTags. The lawsuit remains in its early stages, and the allegations against Apple have not been proven in court.

A Growing Number of Apple AirTag Stalking Lawsuits

The Michigan lawsuit is one of a growing number of legal actions involving allegations that AirTags have been misused for stalking and harassment. Similar reports have surfaced across the United States, spurring a wave of Apple AirTag stalking lawsuits brought against the tech giant. After a federal court declined to certify a proposed class in earlier AirTag litigation in March 2026, several plaintiffs began pursuing their claims against Apple through individual lawsuits.

Another Apple AirTag lawsuit filed in New York in August 2026 raises similar concerns about unwanted AirTag tracking. In that lawsuit, a woman claims an AirTag was secretly placed on her vehicle by a former romantic partner despite an existing stalking protection order. Court filings state that she and her children were allegedly tracked for approximately 12 hours before an alert appeared on her phone, and she later sought hospital care after experiencing what was diagnosed as a panic attack.

What Happens Next in the Apple AirTag Stalking Lawsuit?

The outcome of the Michigan lawsuit remains to be determined. As similar lawsuits proceed in federal courts across the country, the litigation may further address questions about the responsibilities of technology companies when consumer tracking devices are allegedly misused by third parties for stalking or other unauthorized surveillance.