this post was submitted on 11 Nov 2025
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Hello selfhosted community,

I need a privacy respecting alternative for an Apple AirTag. I recently bought my first expensive bike and i would like to know where it is, as it will be used by multiple people.

I know gps service costs something and I am willing to pay for it but I do not want any location data ending up somewhere it shouldn’t.

Thank you.

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[–] mctoasterson@reddthat.com 30 points 1 day ago

I mean, the bug and the feature of an Apple Airtag is the ubiquity of their devices and their ability to backchannel BLE over cellular networks using millions of end user devices with their pseudoconsent.

Just by the nature of how that expansive network functions, there is no similar alternative that you can control the privacy of.

The alternative would be a GPS transponder intended for vehicles, such as LoJack, or something similar. They are going to have power and subscription requirements, usually cost $1000 for the hardware etc. And in that scenario you still have to "trust" the vendor to a degree.