Tile trackers have a mixed reputation. They have long been Apple’s main competitor for its AirTag Bluetooth trackers. However, these tags have also faced accusations of facilitating stalking, even more than Apple’s popular tracker. Device maker Life360 has introduced its latest Tile trackers, now equipped with a button to alert friends if something is wrong.
The new trackers feature a multi-function button that can notify the user’s friends and activate the SOS function in the Tile app in case of an emergency. Pressing the button three times sends an emergency notification to contacts designated in the Life360 app. For the device to contact emergency services without dialing 911, users must subscribe to the Gold or Platinum Life360 app for $15 or $25 per month, respectively. These subscriptions include a free tracker and other benefits, such as crash detection.
Life360’s recent unveiling marks its first new trackers since acquiring the Tile brand in 2021. The lineup includes a $25 Tile Mate and a $35 Tile Pro, the latter offering a louder ring and a 500-foot range compared to the previous Pro’s 400-foot range. Additionally, there is a wallet-sized Tile Slim and a $25 Tile Sticker. As implied by its name, the sticker can attach to virtually anything, facilitating Bluetooth tracking.
For individuals looking to track their portable power bank, the sticker might be an ideal choice. All these devices are available starting Monday. Despite the new built-in panic features, concerns linger regarding Tile’s efforts to prevent unauthorized tracking.
Tile has had a sporadic record in addressing stalking issues with its trackers. In 2022, the company introduced anti-tracking software. This “Scan and Secure” feature allows Life360 users to search for unwanted tags using the app, similar to Apple’s AirTag scanning. Further, Tile implemented a feature enabling users to make their tags invisible to its own scans. Activating invisible trackers requires users to provide biometric data and consent to a potential $1 million lawsuit if convicted of stalking. Life360 claimed this procedure was intended to help users recover stolen items.
According to Tile’s press release on its Anti-Theft mode, unlike competitors such as AirTags and upcoming products compatible with the Google Find My Device Network, Tile does not alert thieves if they steal an item with one of its trackers.
Last year, two women in Texas who alleged they were stalked using a Tile tracker filed a class action lawsuit against the company. They claimed that Tile marketed its product both explicitly and implicitly for tracking people, particularly women. In response, Tile stated it does not condone stalking with its trackers and collaborates with law enforcement in such cases. Tile also reported no misuse of its anti-theft mode at that time. The case remains ongoing, with Tile’s attorneys advocating for the case to move to arbitration.
While the new features may not fully address concerns about being tracked with a Tile device, they could provide some reassurance, particularly for individuals worried about electronically-enabled stalking.
