User reports that Apple Family Sharing allows an abusive ex-partner (organizer) to track a child under 13, as the child cannot leave the group without the organizer's permission. Apple support confirms no policies or features exist to address this, even with court orders. The user requests a mechanism for a custodial parent to remove a child from a family group to prevent tracking and ensure safety in cases of family breakdown and coercive control.
…and a plea for help 😩 I’m here with a blunt warning - Apple Family Sharing has no policies in place for family breakdown where coercive control is occurring, even with a court order in place. I have an <13 year old who cannot leave the family group without the organiser doing it. But the organiser is not a safe person and stalks his children online even though we’ve moved across the globe to get away from him. My older child (>13) can leave the group. I can leave the group. But my 11yo is trapped there until they turn 13. So by stalking the <13yo, the organiser (my ex/their father) can essentially stalk all of our locations and some online activities too. We’ve turned off our locations and there was a fortnight-long tantrum, which we are used to. But now I can’t see my own children’s locations in case of emergency. It’s not ok. And Apple can/will do nothing about it. I’ve talked to the loveliest customer service reps who are horrified at the situation, but tell me they have no policies around this situation at all and they cannot step in, even with my (their custodial parent’s!) say so. I’m open to suggestions on other ways to go about this. It seems that new Apple IDs are one way to go, then form a new family group just the three of us, and then log out of the 11yo’s existing account to stop them being tracked. But I’m so angry and frustrated that, yet again, the perpetrator’s life goes on unimpeded, while victims move around like contortionists trying to stay safe and out of reach. And WE lose our history of apps and emails and photos. And WE are across the globe and still looking over our shoulders. I hate it all. So be careful and make your family data/device plans knowing this. Meantime does anyone have any ideas of what else I can try? EDIT: Thank you so much for all the helpful tips and advice. My brain has been fried with the worry but now I feel like I have a plan of attack thanks to this community 💪🏻