ABSTRACT
Apple AirTags are button-shaped things which, when attached to an item, will enable that object to be found if lost. Besides being Bluetooth activated, AirTags also contain an Apple Ultra-Wide BroadBand (UWB) chip which enables increased accuracy at short range. It is strongly bound to the Apple Ecosystem, so that AirTags can communicate with any iPhone using the Find My app, sending a message to the iCloud via an iPhone whose user might not be aware of it. Beyond issues of privacy, AirTags have the potential to be used to track people, something condemned by Apple. However, this was not anticipated, and hence Apple created a social experiment, thus illustrating the Collingridge dilemma. This chapter presents an imaginary future, based on the United Kingdon Police Future Operating Environment Black Mirror scenario, in which AirTags have become an acceptable means of people tracking. Through the vehicle of an imagined BBC Radio 4 Moral Maze debate, ethical issues concerning people tracking practice are teased out. Discussion derived from the scenario concerns the bounded, purpose-driven and relational nature of people trackers and the necessity of designers to address such ethical issues.
