Small cybersecurity company Berkeley Varitronics Systems (BVS) may soon have a solution to the Apple AirTag stalking problem with its BlueSleuth Lite detector.
It works by detecting “all major BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) trackers,” including the aforementioned AirTags, Galaxy Smart Tags, as well as future devices that will support the standard like earbuds. When multiple gadgets are detected nearby, the BlueSleuth’s screen (opens in a new tab) will list them “by signal strength” with trackers given the highest priority. Users see the name of the misplaced item, the company icon, and when it was last seen on screen. It won’t tell you exactly where to find a tracker, but you should locate suspicious devices 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, supporting both wired and wireless charging. Operation is easy, according to BVS. The company says it comes with a “two-way rocker switch/push button” that you can use to navigate BlueSleuth’s menu to find trackers or configure its settings. BVS gives states that its detector has a maximum range of 75 feet, but you can adjust this BlueSleuth-Lite is so sensitive that it only detects trackers in your area Due to its small size, you can attach it to a keychain and take the detector with you wherever you go .
stalking problem
Bluetooth trackers like the Apple AirTag were originally developed to help people locate lost or stolen items. However, in recent years there have been numerous reports of these devices being misused as an “inexpensive, effective” method of tracking people. Apple has introduced anti-stalking capabilities that allow iPhone owners to detect uninvited AirTags on their person, but it’s not perfect. BVS damage alert notifications can take hours or even days “after the tracker has already been hidden” to reach your phone. Also, 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’s a chance that an uninvited AirTag may have had its speaker removed, preventing the alarm from sounding.
There are so many ways bad actors can bypass current barriers. BlueSleuth-Lite seems to fix 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 identify hidden tags instantly.
Availability
The launch date for the BlueSleuth-Lite seems set for June 2023. Previously, BVS ran a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the development of the detector. Since the goal has already been reached, there is still some room for more supporters. Promising $499 with net gets you a single BlueSleuth Lite, with the higher tiers offering more units. Unfortunately, BVS states that the price will likely increase by an additional 25 percent to cover additional development. Doing the math, the BlueSleuth-Lite could cost over $600 at launch.
So definitely an expensive device. If you’re looking for a more affordable way to protect your privacy, be sure to check out TechRadar’s list of the best privacy tools for 2023.
