OpenHaystack is an open-source project that emulates Apple's Find My network, allowing users to track Bluetooth devices globally using Apple's vast network of iPhones, iPads, and Macs. It essentially lets you create your own DIY AirTags by broadcasting custom Bluetooth signals that are picked up by nearby Apple devices and relayed anonymously back to you via iCloud. This provides location information for the tracked device, offering a low-cost and power-efficient alternative to traditional GPS tracking. The project aims to explore and demonstrate the security and privacy implications of this network, showcasing how it can be used for both legitimate and potentially malicious purposes.
OpenHaystack is an open-source research project that emulates the functionality of Apple's Find My network, allowing users to track Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices, even those without cellular or GPS capabilities, leveraging the vast network of Apple devices. Think of it as a way to build your own "AirTags" or tracking devices, using readily available and affordable hardware like ESP32 microcontrollers. The project utilizes the existing Find My network infrastructure, which consists of millions of iPhones, iPads, and Macs around the world, to relay the location of your custom trackers back to you.
The way OpenHaystack achieves this is by emulating the communication protocols used by Apple's AirTags. It essentially tricks the Find My network into believing that the custom tracker is a genuine AirTag. The project provides firmware for ESP32 microcontrollers that enables them to broadcast Bluetooth signals mimicking AirTags. These signals are then picked up by nearby Apple devices, which securely and anonymously relay the location data to Apple's servers, and from there back to the owner of the tracker. This entire process happens in the background, requiring no interaction from the owners of the Apple devices involved in relaying the location.
OpenHaystack offers a user-friendly web interface for managing and tracking your devices. You can view their location on a map, and the location data is updated periodically as the tracker comes within range of Apple devices. The project also emphasizes privacy and security. The location data is end-to-end encrypted, meaning that only the owner of the tracker can decrypt and access the location information. Apple, or anyone else, cannot see the location of the tracker. Furthermore, the system is designed to prevent unauthorized tracking.
The project's documentation provides detailed instructions on how to set up and use OpenHaystack, including flashing the custom firmware onto an ESP32, setting up the web interface, and configuring the tracking devices. While offering a compelling alternative to commercially available trackers, it's important to acknowledge that OpenHaystack is a research project and may have limitations or unforeseen issues. It is also crucial to use OpenHaystack responsibly and ethically, respecting privacy and avoiding any malicious use of the technology. The project explicitly discourages using it for tracking people without their explicit consent and emphasizes its intended use for tracking objects.
Summary of Comments ( 68 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42835772
Commenters on Hacker News express concerns about OpenHaystack's privacy implications, with some comparing it to stalking or a global mesh network of surveillance. Several users question the ethics and legality of leveraging Apple's Find My network without user consent for tracking arbitrary Bluetooth devices. Others discuss the technical limitations, highlighting the inaccuracy of Bluetooth proximity sensing and the potential for false positives. A few commenters acknowledge the potential for legitimate uses, such as finding lost keys, but the overwhelming sentiment leans towards caution and skepticism regarding the project's potential for misuse. There's also discussion around the possibility of Apple patching the vulnerability that allows this kind of tracking.
The Hacker News post about OpenHaystack, a project enabling users to build their own "AirTags" and track Bluetooth devices through Apple's Find My network, generated a moderate amount of discussion with 25 comments. Several commenters expressed interest and excitement about the project, highlighting the potential for creating customized and more affordable tracking devices.
One of the most compelling threads involved discussions about privacy implications. Commenters raised concerns about the potential for stalking or unwanted tracking due to the open nature of the project. This sparked further dialogue about the ethics of creating such technology and the responsibility of developers to mitigate potential misuse. Specific suggestions included incorporating features like clear notifications to individuals being tracked, opt-in mechanisms, and limited range capabilities to prevent long-distance tracking.
Another key discussion point revolved around the limitations and challenges of the project. Commenters mentioned the reliance on Apple devices for network coverage, raising questions about the effectiveness of tracking in areas with fewer iPhones or iPads. There were also technical discussions regarding battery life, the complexity of the setup process, and the potential for Apple to patch the vulnerabilities exploited by OpenHaystack.
Several commenters shared their own experiences with similar projects or expressed their intention to experiment with OpenHaystack. Some highlighted potential use cases beyond simple item tracking, such as monitoring the location of pets or vulnerable family members.
Overall, the comments reflected a mix of enthusiasm for the technical ingenuity of the project and concern about its potential for misuse. The discussion underscored the ethical considerations that accompany the development of tracking technologies and the importance of thoughtful design choices to minimize risks. There was also a pragmatic acknowledgement of the technical limitations and the possibility of Apple taking steps to counter the project's functionality.