Tile Calls Apple AirTag Unfair Competition, Wants Political Intervention | NOW

Tile, which makes Bluetooth tags that people can use to find their belongings, criticized Apple’s AirTag. Manufacturer indirectly qualifies AirTag as “unfair competition”, writes TechCrunch Tuesday.

Apple announced the AirTag on Tuesday; a product that does pretty much the same as Tile’s bluetooth label. Both Tiles and AirTag smart labels work via Bluetooth. At close range, both tags will beep. Tile and Apple both have their own research network for their labels.

“We welcome competition, as long as it is fair,” wrote CJ Prober, CEO of Tile. “Given Apple’s use of its platform advantage to unfairly restrict competition for its products, we are unfortunately skeptical.”

Apple points out to the company that the Find My feature has been around longer than the Tile brand, and the network is also open to devices from other companies.

However, third parties must pay a commission to use the Find My network. For example, Tile users who want additional features need to subscribe, unlike Apple devices. Tile has to donate about 30% of the subscription proceeds to Apple.

Tile will speak to the U.S. Congress on Wednesday about the arrangement, working with music service Spotify and tech company Match. “We consider it appropriate that Congress take a closer look at Apple’s practices,” said Prober.