Elevation Lab has withdrawn its AirTag Silencer and apologized after acknowledging that permanently disabling the tracker's speaker could help people track victims without their knowledge.
The tool, recently released by Elevation Lab, required an AirTag owner to remove the battery, insert the tracker into a jig, and use a hammer to drive a pin into the speaker. The pin would permanently silence the speaker without damaging other components. The creators said the tool was meant to keep thieves from finding AirTags before stolen items could be located.
AppleInsider said it declined to cover the product at launch, arguing that while it may have been created with good intentions, it would enable users to track victims without their knowledge. It also noted that AirTag is an item tracker, not an anti-theft device, and that Apple states it is meant for misplaced items.
Elevation Lab removed the product and apologized. The company said it had built the tool for its own AirTags on bikes, but acknowledged it could help someone with bad intentions track a person who would not receive phone notifications. It said it will use its patent to prevent others from making one. Unwanted tracking cases have followed AirTag since its launch, including a woman who claimed a former partner tracked her in September 2026 without any warning. A 2022 class-action lawsuit over Apple's anti-stalking measures lost certification in March 2026, and plaintiffs refiled in May.
Source: AppleInsider · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing