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Small cybersecurity company Berkeley Varitronics Systems (BVS) may soon have a solution to the Apple AirTag stalking problem through its BlueSleuth-Lite detector.
It works by detecting “all major BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) trackers”, including those mentioned above AirTags, Galaxy Smart Tags, plus future devices that support the standard, such as earbuds. If multiple gadgets are detected nearby, the BlueSleuth’s screen (opens in new tab) will list them “according to signal strength” with trackers given the highest priority. Users see the name of the missing item, the business icon, and when it was last detected on the screen. It won’t tell you exactly where to find a tracker, but you should locate suspicious devices by using signal strength as a barometer.
The BlueSleuth-Lite itself “is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand”. Inside is a lithium-ion battery with enough charge to last a full day on both wired and wireless charging. According to BVS, the operation is simple. company states that it comes with a “two-way toggle switch/push button” that can be used to navigate BlueSleuth’s menu to find trackers or configure its settings. BVS states that the detector has a maximum range of 75 feet, but you can use the BlueSleuth-Lite’s sensitivity to detect only trackers that are close to you. Given its small size, fit it on a keychain and take take the detector with you wherever you go.
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stalking problem
Originally, Bluetooth trackers like the Apple AirTag were designed to help people find lost or stolen items. There have been, however, the past few years countless reports of these devices abused as a “cheap, effective” way to stalk people. Apple has introduced anti-stalking features Giving iPhone owners a way to detect uninvited AirTags on their person, but it’s not perfect. BVS claim alerts can take hours or even days “after the tracker has already been hidden” to reach your phone. Plus, Android devices can’t detect AirTags without a third-party app, so those users are out of luck if someone drops one on them. And there is the possibility that one uninvited AirTag has had its speaker removed so that the alarm does not go off.
There are so many ways bad actors can get around today’s barriers. The BlueSleuth-Lite seemingly addresses these shortcomings in BLE trackers. You don’t need a third-party app, it vibrates to alert people and, assuming it works as promised, it can instantly identify hidden tags.
Availability
The launch date for the BlueSleuth-Lite appears to be set for June 2023. Prior to this, BVS had a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to create the detector. The goal has already been reached, but there is still some room left for additional lenders. Pledged $499 will get you a single BlueSleuth-Lite, with the higher tiers offering more units. Unfortunately, BVS states that the price tag will likely increase by 25 percent to cover additional development. You bet, the BlueSleuth-Lite could go for over $600 at launch.
So definitely an expensive device. If you’re looking for a more affordable way to protect your privacy, check out BingoTingo’s list of the best privacy tools for 2023.
