The honest answer about tracker privacy — including what the headlines don't tell you.
If you've read any news about AirTag or bluetooth trackers, you've probably seen alarming headlines about stalking. The concern is real, and we want to address it directly — because Tukio was designed with the same anti-stalking protections Apple built into Find My, and we think you deserve to understand exactly how they work.
The Short Version
- ✅ Bluetooth trackers have strong anti-stalking protections baked into iOS and Android
- ✅ Your iPhone will alert you within 8-24 hours if an unknown tracker is traveling with you
- ✅ Android users get the same alerts starting Android 14+
- ✅ Trackers make audible sounds when separated from their owner, so you can hear them
- ⚠️ Like any technology, these protections aren't perfect — but they're much better than older GPS tracker generations
What Apple and Google Built In (Since 2021)
Every Tukio uses Apple's Find My protocol, which includes a privacy feature called "Unknown Tracker Alerts." Here's what happens:
- If your iPhone detects a Tukio (or AirTag, or any Find My tracker) that isn't paired to your Apple ID, but it's been traveling with you for a few hours, your phone automatically alerts you
- The alert shows the tracker on a map, tells you how long it's been with you, and gives you options to disable it
- If you ignore the alert for too long, the tracker itself will start beeping audibly (after 8-24 hours of being separated from its owner)
Android 14+ phones have the same feature built in, courtesy of a rare Apple-Google collaboration in 2024.
What To Do If You Get an "Unknown Tracker" Alert
If your phone alerts you, don't panic. Follow this checklist:
- Check if it's yours or a family member's — did you borrow a bag, sit in someone's car, or get a package with a tracker inside?
- Tap "Play Sound" on your phone to help locate the tracker physically
- If you can't find it and don't recognize it, tap "Learn More" then "Disable Tracker." This permanently disables it.
- If you feel unsafe, go to a trusted location (home, police station, a friend's house) before removing the tracker — so you can investigate without the tracker showing your safe address
What About Privacy From Tukio Itself?
A fair question. Here's our policy:
- Tukio does not collect or store your location data. Your tracker's location is visible only to you, through your Apple ID or the Tukio Android app.
- We never have access to your location history — Apple's end-to-end encryption means even Apple can't see it.
- We don't sell data. See our Privacy Policy for the full breakdown.
Where Protection Is Still Imperfect
We believe in transparency, so let's be honest about the limits:
- The alert window is 8-24 hours — meaning someone who wants to track you for a single day can do so before the alert triggers. This is an industry-wide challenge, not specific to any one brand.
- Older Android devices (below Android 14) may not get alerts reliably. If you use Android, check your settings at Google's Unknown Tracker Alerts help page.
- Trackers hidden in very loud environments may have their audible alarm masked.
Our Commitment
Tukio will always implement the latest anti-stalking protections Apple and Google make available. If you ever have a safety concern involving a Tukio tracker, contact us immediately at support@tukiotag.com, or reach out to local law enforcement if you believe you're in danger.
We make trackers because losing things is stressful and recovering them should be easy. We also care deeply that the tools we make don't get misused — and we'll keep evolving the product to support that.
Have more questions about Tukio's privacy approach? Read our full FAQ or contact our team.