Judge Lets Lawsuit Move Forward Claiming Stalkers Use Apple AirTags to Track Victims

U.S. District Court Judge Vince Chhabria declined to completely dismiss a lawsuit brought against Apple by people who claim stalkers used AirTags to follow their movements, according to CNBC.

The San Francisco-based judge dismissed some of allegations against Apple, but allowed three claims to proceed under California state laws.

"Apple may ultimately be right that California law did not require it to do more to diminish the ability of stalkers to use AirTags effectively, but that determination cannot be made at this early stage," Chhabria wrote in his ruling, according to CNBC.

Consumers attach Apple's popular AirTags to phones and other items, allowing Apple devices like iPhones to quickly locate something that goes missing.

However, plaintiffs claim in their lawsuit that stalkers also slip AirTags into their victims' possessions to track someone's whereabouts.

Apple stock showed little reaction to the judge's decision. Shares rose 1.4% during regular-hours trading Tuesday, then gave back 0.2% in after-hours action to change hands at $175.71 shortly before 5 p.m. ET.