Apple's request to dismiss the class-action lawsuit over alleged use of its AirTags for stalking was denied after a US Federal Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, Bloomberg reported.
San Francisco District Judge Vince Chhabria ruled on Friday that the lawsuit has sufficient claims that there was negligence and product liability on Apple's part with the stalking.
Apple earlier argued that it is not responsible for misconduct made through its technologies as it is under California law, claiming it has implemented "industry-first" safety guardrails on the device.
The class action consists of at least three dozen women and men who reported being stalked and harassed, with some resulting in injuries, because of Apple AirTags.
The lawsuit was first filed in October last year.
Apple marketed AirTags as a way to help iPhone users track down their lost belongings easily by sticking or placing the device into items.
AirTags can then be searched through the Bluetooth feature in iPhone's Find My app.
AirTag-Related Stalking Rises in 2023
Stalking incidents have been reported to rise over the past years as Apple AirTags become more common to the public. AirTags were first released in April 2021 for $29.
Several news agencies have reported victims being stalked through AirTags with some incidents resulting in physical damages and even murder.
It is estimated that more than 13.5 million people reported being stalked each year, in which one in every three people are women, according to StalkingAwareness.org.
Apple has since changed some features to its tracking device to continue to market it as "stalker-proof."
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How to Protect Self from Apple AirTag Stalking?
To avoid being stalked through Apple AirTags, iPhone users are recommended to enable tracking notifications in their Find My app.
This can be done by going to settings, open Privacy & Security>Location Service>System Services>Find My iPhone/iPad and enable "Significant Locations."
Tracking notifications can be switched on through the Find My app in the "Me" tab. Make sure that the device is not on Airplane Mode and that the Bluetooth feature is turned on for it to work.
Once done, users will be alerted whenever an Apple AirTag is detected within their vicinity.
There is also the Tracker Detect app to help Android users find if an AirTag is secretly inserted in their personal belongings and vehicles.
