Debunking The Misinformation About Peak Design's Backpack...

The tech community recently found itself embroiled in a controversy surrounding Peak Design, a popular backpack manufacturer. The controversy began when the suspect in the UnitedHealthcare shooting was spotted wearing what appeared to be a Peak Design Everyday V1 backpack. Speculation arose on platforms like Threads and TikTok, suggesting that Peak Design traced the bag owner using the backpack's serial number. However, the company has categorically denied these allegations.

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Peak Design's Statement

Peak Design released a statement, signed by CEO Peter Dering, clarifying that they have not provided customer information to the police and would only do so under the order of a subpoena. They further explained that they cannot associate a product serial number with a customer unless that customer has voluntarily registered their product on their site. They also mentioned that the serial numbers on the V1 of the Everyday backpack were not unique or identifying and that unique serial numbers were only implemented from the V2 iterations of their Everyday Backpack.

The Origin of The Rumour

The speculations started after the NYPD recovered a gray backpack with a top flap, believed to be the same one seen with the shooter, in Central Park. The design of the bag matched Peak Design's crowdfunded Everyday V1 model. Dering, recognizing the similarities, contacted the NYPD to share what he knew and pledged to do whatever possible to identify the shooter. However, despite no mention of a serial code, the rumor spread rapidly before the company's denial.