Tile Announces Anti-Theft Mode, $1 Million Fine for Stalking

Tile has announced the launch of an Anti-Theft Mode for its Bluetooth trackers and a $1 million fine for using the feature to stalk someone.

Anti-Theft Mode will make Tile's trackers undetectable by Scan and Secure, an in-app feature that allows both iPhone and Android users to scan for and detect nearby Tiles and Tile-enabled devices. Tile users can activate Anti-Theft Mode on any Tile tracker in use now, including Tile-enabled partner products.

Recent efforts by Apple and Tile to prevent stalking have made their trackers ineffective as anti-theft devices. If a thief can scan for a tracker, or receives a notification that the stolen good is being tracked, they can simply remove the tracker and continue on their way.


In it's announcement, Tile takes direct aim at AirTags...

Unlike other Bluetooth trackers on the market, namely AirTags, Tile does not notify nearby smartphone users when an unknown Bluetooth tracker is traveling with them. These proactive notifications can communicate to thieves that a tracker is on the stolen item, allowing them to remove it and making recovering the item less likely. Some competitor products go as far as to issue an audible beep once the tracker has been separated from its owner, making it clear that a tracker is present and enabling thieves to find it with precision. The proactive notifications found in the Bluetooth tracker industry were designed to prevent stalking; however, these anti-stalking measures have been criticized for being insufficient for victim protection. Instead, these alerts have the possibility of making Bluetooth trackers easily identifiable by thieves.

"Anti-Theft Mode is the only solution in the Bluetooth finding category designed to make it harder for thieves to get away with valuables," said Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Life360 Chris Hulls. "We know that families don't have time to misplace their items and certainly don't have the time or money to replace belongings when they get stolen. We're giving our users a solution that empowers them with a choice. The choice to make their devices invisible to Scan and Secure if they wish, and sleep a little easier at night knowing Tile is doing everything we can to protect their valuables."




To activate Anti-Theft Mode, users must submit and apply for an advanced ID verification process that includes a biometric scan to accurately detect fake IDs. Once ID verification is complete, the user will be registered with Tile, and Anti-Theft Mode will be activated across all of the user's Tile Bluetooth trackers. Syncing a government-issued ID with a Tile user's account is a proactive measure to deter the feature from being used for nefarious purposes, such as stalking. Anonymity is directly linked with abusive behavior both in person and online, so Tile is eliminating anonymity and bringing in the latest ID verification technology to its Anti-Theft Mode offering.

Tile's terms of service for Anti-Theft Mode, include a $1 million fine for any individual convicted in a court of law for using Tile devices to illegally track any individual without their knowledge or consent. In addition, the company is taking a highly collaborative stance with law enforcement and Anti-Theft Mode users must acknowledge that personal information can and will be shared with law enforcement at the company's discretion, even without a subpoena, to aid in the investigation and prosecution of suspected stalking.

Anti-Theft Mode is available on Tile Pro, Tile Mate, Tile Slim, Tile Sticker, and various other trackers.

More information at the link below...

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