A model in the US has issued a warning after she was tracked by a stranger using an Apple AirTag. Watch her recount the 'scariest moment ever' here:
Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Brooks Nader was out with pals in New York City on Wednesday (5 January), but her night ended in horror when she realised she had been tracked by a stranger for five hours.
She only made the chilling discovery after her iPhone notified her that an 'unknown accessory' had been moving with her 'for a while' and 'the owner can see its location'.
After her initial alarm and confusion, she realised it was an Apple AirTag which had tracked her location.
The device is designed to help people locate items that regularly go missing, such as wallets and keys, but it has come under scrutiny over its potential to track people unawares.
Taking to Instagram, Brooks recalled: "I was at a bar in Tribeca. I was at the bar and waiting on someone alone and had my coat on the chair behind me. It was crowded. Lots of people.
"Then I went to meet some girlfriends at a bar nearby. I didn't get any notifications. Then I went to the next spot, no notifications. Then, stupidly, I was walking home alone because I live in the neighborhood.
"Around 11.30 pm, I was already on my walk home when I got the notifications that said someone is tracking you and has been for a while. So I freaked out. And then, of course, my phone died."
Brooks said it was the 'scariest moment ever' and until this incident she had 'no idea' AirTags even exist.
The small device can be easily slipped into bags and coats, which can then be tracked on the Find My app, but Apple insist it is designed with security in mind.
The company's website states: "AirTag is designed to discourage unwanted tracking. If someone else's AirTag finds its way into your stuff, your iPhone will notice it's travelling with you and send you an alert.
"After a while, if you still haven’t found it, the AirTag will start playing a sound to let you know it's there."
Brooks hopes speaking out about her experience will encourage others to be aware of the devices and keep an eye on their things in public places.
Speaking to MailOnline, she said: "Basically my coat was on the barstool at the Odeon in Tribeca, which was my first location.
"I went to bathroom left my coat on the chair and that’s when I think someone slipped it in. They then followed me for five hours all the way home.
"I hope that my story can help raise awareness and encourage ladies to look out for this notification and keep their belongings close, especially when out and about.
"I never thought anything like this could happen to me and it did. If this does happen to you and you find an AirTag, immediately call the police and Apple to track the serial number back to the perpetrator.
"As women, we need to stick together and warn each other of situations like these."
LADbible has contacted Apple for comment.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: US News, Apple, Technology, Crime
Jake Massey