Apple AirTag Lawsuit Wave: 8 Critical Questions Answered

Apple is currently battling more than 30 individual lawsuits from people who say they were stalked using AirTags. This legal wave follows a failed attempt to certify a class action in 2022, forcing victims to file separate cases. Below, we break down the most pressing questions about these lawsuits, Apple's actions, and the ongoing safety debate.

How Many Lawsuits Has Apple Faced Over AirTag Stalking?

As of early 2025, Apple is facing over 30 individual lawsuits filed by alleged stalking victims. These cases emerged after a judge denied class certification for a 2022 lawsuit (Hughes v. Apple), ruling that state law differences and the unique nature of each stalking incident made a class action inappropriate. The judge gave plaintiffs 28 days to file individual claims, prompting the current wave.

What Do the Lawsuits Accuse Apple Of?

The lawsuits allege that Apple released the AirTag despite knowing it could be “purchased and used by abusive, dangerous individuals to track, coerce, control, and otherwise endanger and abuse innocent victims.” Plaintiffs claim Apple failed to put adequate safeguards in place before the product launched in 2021, and that the company remains aware that AirTags pose a “profound risk.” The complaints emphasize that AirTags “revolutionized the scope, breadth, and ease of location-based stalking,” pointing to news reports linking the devices to stalking incidents that ended in murder.

Why Did the Earlier Class Action Lawsuit Fail?

The 2022 class action (Hughes v. Apple) was denied class certification because of differences in state laws and the highly individual nature of each stalking incident. The judge concluded that common legal questions did not predominate over individual ones, meaning each victim’s experience and legal claims had to be assessed separately. This decision opened the door for the current batch of more than 30 individual lawsuits.

What Evidence Suggests Apple Knew About Stalking Risks?

Internal Apple documents, sourced from the original lawsuit, reveal that the company anticipated its safeguards would only “deter as opposed to prevent malicious use.” Apple also acknowledged it “should have consulted domestic abuse organizations on the unwanted tracking policy before shipping.” Additionally, Apple reportedly received more than 40,000 stalking reports between April 2021 and April 2024, indicating the company was aware of the widespread problem yet continued selling AirTags without sufficient improvements.

What Anti-Stalking Measures Has Apple Implemented, and Why Are They Criticized?

Apple has rolled out several anti-stalking features, including cross-platform notifications that alert potential victims when an unknown AirTag is nearby. However, plaintiffs argue these measures are inadequate. A key complaint is the 4-to-8-hour delay before a notification is received—originally the delay was a staggering 72 hours. Critics say this delay is far too long to prevent stalking or give victims a timely warning. Apple has also added audible alerts, but those can be disabled.

How Do AirTags Work Differently From Other Trackers?

Unlike many Bluetooth trackers that use direct connections, AirTags leverage Apple’s vast Find My network. This means any nearby Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Mac) can anonymously relay an AirTag’s location back to its owner. This network gives AirTags a much larger range and accuracy than competitors, but it also makes them especially dangerous for stalking because victims may not own an Apple device and thus get no alert. Apple has since added Android-based alerts, but the core network remains a double-edged sword.

What Modifications Allow AirTags to Be Used for Stalking?

One of Apple’s built-in safety features is a speaker that plays a sound to alert people to an unknown AirTag’s presence. However, the speaker can be physically removed. Sellers on sites like eBay even offer modified “silent AirTags” with the speaker disabled. This simple modification completely undermines Apple’s audible deterrent, making it easy for stalkers to hide the device without detection. The lawsuits highlight this as a critical design flaw that Apple should have anticipated.

What Are Plaintiffs Seeking in These Lawsuits?

Each lawsuit includes the personal story of the plaintiff, all of whom claim to have been stalked using an AirTag. They are seeking compensatory damages for the harm suffered, punitive damages to punish Apple, and reimbursement of attorney’s fees. Additionally, the plaintiffs want a court order preventing Apple from engaging in the “unlawful business practices” alleged in the filings, which would force significant changes to how AirTags are designed and marketed.