I’ve been at my current sit since Sunday and am really enjoying it. I noticed a noise every time I put my coat on to take the dogs out, which had the front doors keys in the pocket. After a couple of days I realised the keys had an ‘air tag’ and a message on my iPhone indicated that the owner of the air tag could see where the keys were. This was never mentioned to me and I had to look up about the air tag. I will ask the owners but thought I’d ask here first to see what you think and if anyone has had this experience.
I have not had any similar experience, but I am learning that this is a wide range of tracking devices. In a relatively short time, the category has grown from being merely indoor or outdoor cameras. No doubt it’s an area that will continue to evolve.
I had a recent conversation with @Ben-ProductManager, when I volunteered from a recent project calling for volunteers, and learned about the wide range currently on the market. He confirmed that they are working on this area, as has been discussed in other posts.
In your case I might give the owner the benefit of the doubt that they use it to be able to find misplaced or lost keys. However, I too would discuss it with them. When I had that conversation would depend on the length of the sit, along with other factors.
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I have never heard of an “air tag” I too hope that it is to find misplaced keys but they should have disclosed it especially as you heard the noise.
I would not like to encounter that experience as I feel they could be monitoring your dog walks etc. Whilst I have nothing to hide I do want to be treated as a Trusted Sitter
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@Smiley : I would also give the OH the benefit of the doubt because in the case of a couple of pet-sitters : One goes walking the dog but dos not need the key because the other member of the couple stay at home : so the air-tag key would stay at home while the dog is walked !!
But maybe they asked only solo sitter ?
That is weird in deed… I tend to be very naive about technology (it keeps my mind sane !)…
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Thieves are using Air Tags to track people’s vehicles to steal them or the catalytic converters. It’s also useful for stalkers and domestic violence perpetrators to track their victims.
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Yes, I thought I’d give them the benefit of the doubt and, as you say, it’s useful for them if they misplace their keys. I would imagine they forgot about telling me, although you’d think it might have been mentioned when they actually handed me the keys….I’ll ask them anyway
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If they are monitoring me they’ll see the dogs are getting better walks than normal…
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How does that happen? Doesn’t the owner have the air tag?
I’ve just sent the owners a message asking them about this. I also assume that, if I hadn’t had an iPhone (the latest) I’d never have known which makes me feel even more uncomfortable. It would have been handy if they’d told me as could have explained how to use it in case I mislaid the keys!
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No, the air tag is the small disk on the key fob. They can see where you go when you leave the house and for how long.
If you really want to mess with them, remove it and attach it to a moving van.
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One thing you might consider, is to remove the house key from the key chain and take it alone? Or is the air tag a part of the key itself?
Oh - I’ve just seen the answer to this. Never mind.
Yes, but FYI to those without Apple products: there is an Android plug-in (or app) that will enable your phone to detect Air tags.
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Ok I’ve had a reply from the owner. Says she’s too busy to track. She was given it for Christmas as is always misplacing her keys. I said I thought that must be the case.
Good to know about this though. I might even invest in one myself so that I can track myself! Could attach to the owners’ keys in case I misplace them…
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Is there an archive of where the keys have been over a period of time that an owner can check later?
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I’ve no idea, I’m a bit of a technophobe tbh! I would imagine probably….Apple products are too clever
I’ve not had a key tracker on any keys at sits I’ve been on yet.
But, having just installed a nest thermostat at home I wonder about a HO monitoring how you set the temperature at the house.
I’m on a sit in the US NE now where the temps are unseasonably cold - it was 10F when I got up this morning and is only 19F now in mid-afternoon. I raised the heat from 64 to 68 last night. I don’t think the HO here has the capability to monitor.
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I’ve seen tales related to Airbnb and hosts controlling the thermostat.
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We’ve had that in a sit in Scotland. But the owner gave us the password to control it ourselves. When we left we didn’t know if he had changed the passport. We were sitting in the Bahamas in 32C and talked about turning down their heat in Scotland because we were too warm.
One of the reasons I would offer to pay for some energy on a long sit, I don’t have to worry about the cost of heat or air conditioning. I just like my creature comforts and never know how much is too much.
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@toml There is no way you should have to keep the heat at 64 degrees in the northeast US now — it’s FREEZING! BTW, where are you now, if you don’t mind my asking?
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