Apple's 'Find My' service" dubbed super creepy surveillance tech"

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has criticized Apple's 'Find My' service, labeling it as "super creepy surveillance tech" that infringes on privacy rights. He shared a personal experience where he discovered the address of a thief who stole his Mac laptop years prior, which was still linked to his Apple ID. Although he did not retrieve the laptop, the incident led him to disable 'Find My iPhone' on all his devices due to feeling "creeped out" by the revelation. Sweeney argued that tracking devices also means tracking the individuals in possession of them, suggesting that lost or stolen devices should be recovered through legal means rather than personal tracking. His comments sparked backlash from Apple supporters, who accused him of trying to damage Apple's reputation amid ongoing legal disputes. They also pointed out Epic Games' own privacy violations, which resulted in a significant fine. While some noted that iPhone thefts have decreased since the introduction of the 'Activation Lock' feature, Sweeney emphasized the potential dangers of tracking technologies, particularly for families and those buying second-hand devices. He referenced Steve Jobs' concerns about the risks of stalking associated with such technologies, further fueling the debate.

- Tim Sweeney criticized Apple's 'Find My' service for privacy concerns.

- He shared a personal incident involving the discovery of a thief's address.

- Sweeney advocates for legal recovery of stolen devices instead of personal tracking.

- Apple supporters defended the service, citing its role in reducing iPhone thefts.

- The debate highlights broader concerns about surveillance and privacy rights.