Using smart tags to track things is the intended use case. Exactly what they are meant for. That someone can toss one in another person’s bag to stalk them is a case of someone misusing the technology, not an issue with the tech itself. And this tech is not Apple exclusive, it just makes better headlines.
There’s no way to algorithmically detect when it’s being used that way instead of to track something a user has legitimate reason to track.
We don’t regulate pens just because you can stab someone in the eye with one, we regulate and build laws against physical assault.
I expect this will end up in a similar way, laws against stalking updated to cover the use of smart tags if they aren’t covered already
Also, regarding Apple’s “responsibility”: Do we hold Dell responsible when someone uses a computer they built to commit cybercrime? Do we hold the manufacturer of kitchen knives responsible when they’re used in a domestic homicide, claiming that they need to do something to prevent knives from being used in stabbings or cease selling knives until they can?
To be clear, fuck Apple and all their walled garden anti-consumer bullshit they pull. Terrible company.
That said, there are absolutely cases where an argument can be made that a manufacturer or creator of tech has responsibilty in regards to how it is used or misused but this isn’t one of them.