Skechers Introduces Kids’ Shoes with Hidden AirTag Compartment
Skechers has introduced a new collection of children’s sneakers equipped with a concealed compartment that can accommodate an Apple AirTag.
Inside the heel of the shoe, a small insert can be removed to reveal the compartment, enabling parents to keep track of their child’s location — or at least their shoes’. Although these sneakers do not come with an AirTag and are not an official partnership with Apple, they represent a third-party innovation created by Skechers independently.
The shoes were revealed in mid-July with limited media attention, but AppleInsider brought the product into the spotlight on Wednesday.
Apple primarily promotes AirTags as tools for locating items like keys, wallets, or luggage — not individuals. Nevertheless, parents have been utilizing this technology to monitor their children. There are now AirTag-compatible choices available, including bracelets, insoles, pins, and even faux Crocs Jibbitz designed to accommodate an AirTag.
It is important to note that AirTags are not particularly suitable for tracking fast-moving subjects, such as a child on a school bus. Unlike an iPhone with location sharing enabled, AirTags lack built-in GPS. They rely on Bluetooth beaconing technology to discreetly transmit their presence to nearby Apple devices, offering the AirTag owner a rough location estimate.
Despite their intended applications, this technology can be misused for harmful purposes. There have been reported cases of individuals employing AirTags for covert tracking, leading to a class action lawsuit. As a result, Apple has introduced anti-stalking measures, such as notifying users via their iPhone or Apple Watch if an unfamiliar AirTag is detected in proximity.
Since Skechers manufactures these shoes solely in children’s sizes, it is unlikely they will be used for unauthorized surveillance of adults. However, the growing acceptance of such tracking methods could have wider implications. It is conceivable that Skechers or other brands could design similar products for adults with conditions like dementia, who may inadvertently wander away from their caregivers. While such developments may originate from good intentions, they also raise questions about tracking adults without their consent.
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