Tile's Anti-Theft Mode Raises Serious Privacy Concerns
Tile, Inc., the company behind popular Bluetooth location finders, faces criticism over privacy concerns. Its Anti-Theft Mode, meant to prevent identity theft, may inadvertently expose users to malicious tracking. Experts advise keeping Tile firmware updated and considering alternative trackers.
Tile's Anti-Theft Mode, designed to hide tags from unwanted scans, could paradoxically make users more vulnerable. When enabled, tags become invisible to scans, allowing potential stalkers to plant trackers undetected. Experts warn that this mode strips away key safeguards and requires users to share personal information.
Tile trackers' static MAC addresses act as beacons, broadcasting unencrypted IDs. This makes them traceable in real-time by anyone with basic scanning tools. Unlike Apple's AirTag and Samsung's SmartTag, Tile does not rotate identifiers or encrypt transmissions, leaving users' movements exposed. Lack of encryption could enable stalkers to misuse data and track movements. Moreover, attackers can record and replay Tile signals to spoof a person's location, potentially framing them for criminal activities. Tile's partial protections are inconsistent and rely on specific conditions for identifier rotation, further weakening user privacy.
Tile, Inc., founded in 2012 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, offers Bluetooth trackers to help users find lost items. However, its Anti-Theft Mode and lack of encryption in trackers raise serious privacy concerns. Experts recommend keeping Tile firmware and app versions up to date, avoiding Anti-Theft Mode, and considering alternative trackers with stronger privacy protections.
