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Receiving a brand-new pair of Apple AirPods from your employer may seem like an excellent work perk. However, tech experts are warning that it could be a covert surveillance tactic. According to Marc Porcar, a cybersecurity specialist at QR Code Generator, AirPods given by employers could be secretly monitoring your movements.
How Do AirPods Reveal Private Details?
Tracking your location is one of the simplest things your AirPods can help with. Although they don’t have built-in GPS or cellular connectivity, they can be tracked if connected to an Apple ID and paired with another Apple device, such as the AirTag. A Daily Mail report quoted Porcar as saying that employers can link AirPods to their Apple ID and determine their employees’ locations through the Find My Network. If a user wears them during work-from-home hours or takes them to the gym or a local café, their location might be visible to their employer.
Reportedly, the concern becomes more serious if the AirPods arrive without packaging or in a box that appears to have been opened previously. This could indicate that the device has already been set up on an account before reaching the user.
How to Protect Your Privacy from AirPods?
Experts recommend restoring AirPods to their factory settings before linking them with the user’s personal Apple ID to safeguard their privacy. To do this, follow these simple steps:
- Place both AirPods in the case, close the lid, and wait for 30 seconds.
- Press and hold the setup button on the case’s back for around 15 seconds after opening the lid, or until the status light turns white.
- Link the AirPods to a non-work Apple ID using one of Apple’s devices, such as an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Porcar has advised users to conduct this process in a familiar and private setting, rather than in a public place, to ensure their employer is not alerted about non-work activities.
What If You Fail to Reset Your AirPods?
If you are unable to reset your AirPods but still want to avoid location detection, you can delink them from your Apple ID through any device or by navigating to the Find My app or device settings. Experts warned that using AirPods with an Android device will not help if they remain connected to an Apple ID. The experts ultimately urged users to limit the use of employer-provided AirPods to work-related environments only. Porcar suggested avoiding the use of such AirPods outside of work hours to protect one’s privacy.
FAQs:
Q1. Can AirPods Really Be Used to Track Someone’s Location?
Yes. While AirPods don’t have GPS, they can be located via Apple’s Find My network if linked to an Apple ID, especially when near other Apple devices or paired with one.
Q2. What Should You Do If You Suspect Your Work AirPods Are Being Tracked?
Reset them to their factory settings and pair them with your own Apple ID. Alternatively, remove them from the linked Apple ID via your iPhone or Mac to disable tracking features.
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