The OpenHaystack framework, which allows users to create custom tracking devices using Apple's Find My network, has sparked innovative applications and potential security concerns within the tech community. While originally designed for simple object tracking, developers have found creative ways to leverage this technology for various IoT applications.
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| OpenHaystack application icon representing innovative tracking solutions |
Creative Applications Emerge
Community members have developed several ingenious applications using the OpenHaystack framework. One particularly clever implementation involves a mailbox monitoring system where a contact sensor inside the mailbox rotates the broadcasted Bluetooth key based on trigger counts. When mail is delivered, the key changes, effectively creating a mail notification system using Apple's extensive network of devices. This demonstrates how the Find My network can be repurposed for IoT applications beyond simple tracking.
Security Implications
More concerning applications have also emerged, including the potential for data exfiltration from air-gapped systems. Security researchers have demonstrated that the Find My network can be used to transmit data from hardware keyloggers, allowing captured keystrokes to be transmitted via nearby iPhones even when the target computer has no direct internet connection. This highlights both the versatility and potential security risks of the technology.
I saw someone use this to track their mail state. They have a contact sensor inside their mailbox that rotates the broadcasted key based on the trigger count. If the key changed, aka a new different device is visible, you know mail has been dropped in, very clever!
Network Integration and Compatibility
The community discussion reveals that Apple has been relatively open to third-party integration with their Find My network. Multiple users report successfully using generic Find My-compatible trackers available on popular e-commerce platforms, particularly for pet tracking. This suggests that Apple's network has evolved beyond a closed ecosystem into a more open platform for location-based services.
Technical Implementation
The framework leverages Apple Mail's entitlements to access the Find My network, requiring macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later. While some users have questioned whether Apple could block unauthorized devices, technical analysis suggests that the BLE identities of these custom tags are currently indistinguishable from official Apple products, making network-level blocking difficult.
The growing adoption of OpenHaystack and similar frameworks demonstrates the potential for repurposing existing infrastructure for novel applications, while also raising important questions about security and privacy in IoT implementations.