https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/09/maxmind-m...
He wouldn't be the first dad to be totally unaware of what his shithead kid(s) is/are up to.
However in some cases your wifi MAC isn't unique and it'll think you're elsewhere. In my specific case it kept resetting my time zone to somewhere in Russia (I'm in Massachusetts) because that's what the MAC said.
It seems to be worse if there are no other networks in range for it to do sanity checking against.
Regardless of what is "expected" I stand by that it would have been interesting to dig in to the details. Hopefully somebody does. I doubt apple will, but I think there can be lessons learned from understanding how it happened if someone were to research it.
I can only imagine how much it must suck to be at the blunt end of such MegaCorp oversights.
#53: In the Desert: Strangers keep coming to Mike and Christina’s house looking for their stolen cell phones. Nobody knows why. We travel to Atlanta to find out what’s going on, in our thorniest Super Tech Support yet.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/09/maxmind-m...
Note: Maps and location information depend on data collection services provided by third parties. These services are subject to change and may not be available in all geographic areas, resulting in inaccurate or incomplete maps or location information.I am confident that you will find, in the app(s) and devices, equal disclaimers of any warranty or fitness for purpose of the Service, just like any other software EULA.
https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/find-my/
Find My can use the Find My network to help find devices even if they are not connected to the internet and, for supported devices, even if they are turned off or erased. Devices in the Find My network use Bluetooth wireless technology to detect missing devices or compatible items nearby, including AirTags and compatible third-party products registered to your Apple ID, and report their approximate location back to the owner. If a device is turned off or erased, that location is also visible to members of the owner’s Family Sharing group with whom they have chosen to share the location. The interaction is end-to-end encrypted, and Apple cannot see the location of any offline device or reporting device. When your device participates in the Find My network, it can both be located by the network and anonymously help locate other missing devices. ... For more information on AirTags and compatible third-party products, including instructions on adding these products to Find My and registering them to your Apple ID, visit support.apple.com/kb/HT211331.So like... a couple people a year? As far as annoyances go, not exactly a big one.
Still, I'm happy he has this article now. He can just show it to the couple new visitors who arrive each year. Heck, frame it and put it above the doorbell...
Of course, it's also the perfect cover if he ever wanted to turn into an iPhone and AirPods thief... :P
In all seriousness though, I would be concerned if somebody ever did become violent. I'd definitely want the local police to be aware of the situation in advance and be ready to call them.
But also, the solution is maybe as easy as replacing your Wi-Fi router?
This is a safety issue more than it is an annoyance issue. Someone may get violent if they think they have evidence that you've stolen their phone and are denying it.
People who are looking for their possessions and think you have them are probably not going to be rational when you tell them to leave. The homeowner will have to call 911 to get them trespassed each time. That's a waste of his time.
GPS coordinates have nothing to do with Wi-Fi routers. He could bulldoze his house and people would still show up to that location because the GPS system does not know or care what is at that location.