Surfwin|Pennsylvania moves to join states that punish stalkers who use Bluetooth tracking devices

2025-05-01 20:41:02source:Databeccategory:Finance

HARRISBURG,Surfwin Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania took a step Tuesday toward becoming the latest state to punish someone for using a Bluetooth-connected device to track someone without their permission.

The state House of Representatives voted 199-1 to approve legislation that would make using a tracking device to secretly track another person part of Pennsylvania’s laws against stalking. The crime would be punishable as a third-degree misdemeanor, or up to 90 days in jail.

The bill goes to the Senate, where a separate bill is pending that would make the crime a second-degree misdemeanor, or punishable by up to two years in jail.

Most states have a provision in state law that prohibits remote tracking, while others are adding it. Ohio is considering such legislation, Florida is increasing penalties for using such a device and Kentucky approved a new law last year.

Bluetooth-controlled devices made by various tech giants or digital apps installed on a mobile phone can secretly track the movements of another person.

The House bill’s passage Tuesday comes a few weeks after a federal judge denied Apple’s motion to dismiss a class-action lawsuit contending that the tech giant hasn’t done enough to prevent stalkers from using its AirTag devices to track victims.

READ MORE Debates to play a major role in Pennsylvania’s 2024 US Senate electionGay actor’s speech back on at Pennsylvania school after cancellation over his ‘lifestyle’Pennsylvania redesigned its mail-in ballot envelopes amid litigation. Some voters still tripped up

Apple’s $29 AirTags have become popular items since their 2021 release, helping users keep tabs on the location of anything from lost keys to wallets and luggage.

But stalkers have also taken advantage of AirTags and similar tracking devices, and dozens of plaintiffs sued Apple in 2022, contending that AirTag users had stalked them. They said its safety features are inadequate and that Apple should have done more to protect victims after AirTags “revolutionized the scope, breadth, and ease of location-based stalking.”

Apple has condemned any malicious use of the product. It argued in court that it “took proactive steps” to deter misuse and that it shouldn’t be liable for damage caused by third parties.

Last year, Apple partnered with Google to set standards for fighting secret surveillance with tracking devices.

More:Finance

Recommend

Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week

Friday the 13thdidn’t spook investors with U.S. stocks little changed on the day as investors bided

Golden Globes 2023: The complete list of winners

The 80th Golden Globe Awards aired Tuesday night on NBC. Below is the full list of nominees, with wi

Thomas Haden Church talks 'rumors' of another Tobey Maguire 'Spider-Man,' cameo possibility

If Tobey Maguire is the star of "Spider-Man 4," you can count on Thomas Haden Church to reprise his