Nah, just recognize that the tech already was out there, for a lower cost, in a form factor that won't notify you you're being tailed

This isn't a new thing and Apple takes steps that, for example, Tile doesn't to prevent their products from being used for nefarious purposes

I do recongnize that. Does only the first person selling a dangerous product deserve scorn? "X did it first!" is the excuse of a toddler.

They've also made it easier than gps trackers (no sim card needed), probably safer for stalkers (does Apple have a way to report AirTags used for crime and/or find out who owns it?) and it's more effective than Tile.

It also favors their own ecosystem, because only iphone owners get warned. (no I don't consider beeping enough, finding something that beeps intermittently is notoriously difficult).

Beating up on Apple for making something LESS able to be abused and more transparent/understandable just seems disingenuous though?

The difference in level of abuse for something that will actively draw attention to itself after some period of time vs something of the same cost that was previously widely available and was more subtle and would not, is pretty big. And it is in the favor of Apple not being abusive or favoring abuse.

So if there exists anyone who does something slightly worse, everyone else gets a pass? Our prisons will be emptier at least.

So if someone makes something better and not a good idea to abuse, they’re terrible?

"better" does not mean good. This _is_ easy to abuse, which is my issue with it.

The protections in the system feel more like PR shields than effective deterrents.