The AirTag 2, which began shipping to users, has already been disassembled by YouTuber Joseph Taylor. His teardown reveals a key design change: the speaker is now much harder to remove compared to the original AirTag. This alteration aligns with Apple's efforts to curb misuse and prevent unwanted tracking of the device.

Apple's first-generation AirTags faced scrutiny due to their potential for misuse as tracking devices, leading to privacy concerns. The company has implemented software updates to mitigate these issues. The new design change makes it more difficult for bad actors to tamper with the AirTag, further enhancing user privacy.

Taylor's teardown shows the speaker magnet is now firmly glued in. While still removable with effort, the added difficulty is a deliberate move. This is likely part of Apple's broader strategy for enhanced security and to address concerns about the AirTag's potential for malicious tracking purposes.

With these changes, Apple aims to refine the AirTag's design and address earlier privacy criticisms. Consumers can purchase a single AirTag for $29 or a four-pack for $99. It remains to be seen how effective these new measures will be in preventing misuse in the real world.