Tile exploit could let stalkers follow you with your own tracker — Bluetooth broadcasting flaw is relatively simple to exploit, researchers discover

Researchers at Georgia Tech found design flaws in Tile's location trackers that could be exploited for stalking. The trackers broadcast unencrypted MAC addresses and unique IDs, allowing for tracking by nearby Bluetooth devices. Data sent to Tile's servers is believed to be stored in cleartext, potentially enabling tracking of tags and owners. Safeguards added by Tile in 2023 do not prevent this type of exploitation, raising concerns about potential misuse by various entities. Encrypting the data could prevent future misuse and protect user privacy.