Ohio Considers Law to Ban Stalking Via Electronics

16 MAY 2022 - Did you know that, in Ohio, it might be legal to use an AirTag stalk someone? Shouldn’t be for much longer, though. The website for Cleveland’s WKYC says bipartisan legislation has been proposed that would make that societal no-no an actually illegal thing. According to the site, the TV station’s investigation.

…uncovered loopholes in Ohio law that would allow stalkers to secretly track someone -- potentially without penalty -- if there has been no prior pattern of stalking behavior or domestic violence.

Now, a Democrat and a Republican have proposed HB 672. According to the piece:

The bill would amend section 2903.211 of the Revised Code to “generally prohibit a person from knowingly installing a tracking device or application on another person's property without the other person's consent.”

The station says “at least 19 states” have “specific laws against electronic tracking, but not Ohio.” It’s hard to know whether HB 672 will actually stop any stalkers. At least law enforcement will have a path to prosecution, should any get caught tracking via AirTag.

You can see WKYC’s full report on the issue below.