In a legal saga unfolding in Dubai, a British expatriate has launched a civil lawsuit against a tech giant, urging them to reveal the identity of an AirTag owner. The lawsuit stems from allegations that his ex-wife employed the device to clandestinely track his whereabouts, prompting a breach of his privacy rights and leading to a criminal report against her.
Discovery of the AirTag
A civil lawsuit initiated by a British expatriate seeks to compel a tech giant to disclose the identity of an AirTag owner, alleging that his ex-wife utilized the device to clandestinely monitor his whereabouts. The legal action unfolded following the man's discovery of the device concealed within his child’s toy, prompting him to lodge a criminal complaint against his former spouse for violating his privacy rights.
Court documents reveal that the 47-year-old individual detected an Apple AirTag concealed inside a teddy bear gifted to their daughters by his Belarusian ex-wife, aged 41. Leveraging alerts from his iPhone, he successfully located the device, leading him to his ex-wife's presence outside his newly established residence—a location he had deliberately kept confidential following their divorce in July 2023, compounded by a custody ruling favoring him.
While the ex-wife acknowledged possessing an AirTag for pet tracking purposes, she disavowed any knowledge regarding the AirTag discovered within the teddy bear, asserting ignorance regarding its insertion into the toy.
Emotional distress and legal defense
Despite solicitation, the Apple office in Dubai refrained from divulging the identity of the AirTag's user, consequently prompting the initiation of the civil lawsuit at Dubai Civil Court.
During recent court proceedings, the man's legal representative underscored his client's ordeal of emotional distress and security apprehensions resulting from the incident.
Dr. Hasan Elhais, a legal consultant from Awatif Shoqi Advocates representing the man, voiced apprehensions concerning the misuse of technology in familial disputes, emphasizing the profound ethical and emotional ramifications technology can precipitate when exploited maliciously.
As part of their legal defense, they petitioned the court to compel Apple to furnish critical information indispensable for safeguarding the client's privacy rights. This requested information encompasses all pertinent data pertaining to the implicated AirTag, the owner's identity, and any associated accounts or URLs instrumental in surveilling or monitoring the man without his consent.
The legal representatives contended that the episode inflicted significant material and moral damages upon their client, adversely affecting his personal well-being and occupational endeavors. Moreover, they highlighted the financial strain incurred as a consequence of the protracted legal entanglement.
Dr. Elhais underscored the profound impact of distress, fear, and despondency on impeding his client's effective management of his business operations.
As the legal proceedings persist, the case remains ongoing, emblematic of the complexities and ethical quandaries engendered by the intersection of technology and familial disputes.