A British expatriate in Dubai has filed a lawsuit against tech giant Apple, demanding disclosure of the identity of an AirTag owner, whom he alleges his ex-wife used to secretly track his location. The civil lawsuit emerged after he found the device hidden in his child’s toy, leading to a criminal report against his ex-wife for privacy violations, reported Khaleej Times.
The 47-year-old man discovered the AirTag inside a teddy bear given to their daughters by his 41-year-old Belarusian ex-wife. His iPhone alerts led him to the hidden device and subsequently to his ex-wife, who was parked outside his new, undisclosed residence.
The ex-wife admitted to owning an AirTag for tracking pets but denied any knowledge of the device in the teddy bear. Apple’s office in Dubai, despite requests, has not disclosed the identity of the AirTag’s owner.
In court last month, the man’s lawyer highlighted the emotional distress and security concerns caused by the incident. Dr Hasan Elhais from Awatif Shoqi Advocates, representing the plaintiff, stressed the misuse of technology in family disputes and the profound ethical and emotional impact it can have.
The lawsuit seeks crucial information for the protection of the man’s privacy rights, including all data related to the AirTag, the owner’s identity, and any linked accounts. The case, highlighting significant material and moral damages, continues to affect the man’s personal and professional life as he faces financial strains from the ongoing legal battle.
The case is still pending in Dubai Civil Court.