Elevation Lab Pulls AirTag Silencer After Stalking Concerns

Elevation Lab, the manufacturer behind the AirTag Silencer, has discontinued the controversial accessory after receiving criticism concerning its potential use in stalking. The Silencer was designed to disable the AirTag's speaker, intended to alert users when their belongings are followed by someone tracking them with an AirTag. Apple has been enhancing AirTag safety features since the device's launch in 2021, including a louder speaker and stronger adhesive in the latest AirTag 2 to make the speaker harder to remove.

However, Elevation Lab faced backlash over the Silencer, with one user, Glenn Fleishman from Six Colors, describing it as "appalling." The company's CEO, Casey Hopkins, clarified that users can already silence AirTags themselves, and individuals would still receive smartphone notifications if an unknown AirTag is in close proximity to them.

Elevation Lab decided to remove the Silencer from sale, stating that while it was created for personal use, it could aid malicious individuals in tracking unsuspecting victims who wouldn't receive alert notifications.

The Silencer worked by piercing the AirTag's plastic cover and speaker using a pin located where the speaker is situated. The device came with instructions to remove the AirTag battery, apply the Silencer, and hit it with a hammer to achieve this. Although the alerts can make AirTags less effective for locating intentionally stolen items, the audible sound serves as an essential safeguard to protect people from stalkers.

Elevation Lab plans to utilize its patent to prevent other companies from designing and releasing similar accessories in the future.