Technology has brought about a lot of convenience in our lives, but it has also brought its fair share of concerns. One such concern is the potential misuse of Bluetooth trackers such as Apple’s AirTag. While these small, affordable devices help people locate their lost items, they have also been used by bad actors to track and harm individuals. In response, Apple and Google have joined forces to protect users of their respective operating systems.
According to a press release by Apple, the two tech giants are working together to create a specification that will combat unwanted tracking through crowdsourced finding networks. This specification has been submitted as an Internet-Draft through the Internet Engineering Task Force, and the companies aim to implement it by the end of 2023. Major Bluetooth tracker manufacturers, including Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, eufy Security, and Pebblebee, have also shown support for the initiative.
Once implemented, the new specification will allow iOS and Android users to receive automated alerts when any of these branded trackers are following them around. This partnership between Apple and Google is a welcome development in the tech industry, as it aims to provide better privacy and security for users.
Ron Huang, Apple’s vice president of Sensing and Connectivity, states -“Apple launched AirTag to give users the peace of mind knowing where to find their most important items. We built AirTag and the Find My network with a set of proactive features to discourage unwanted tracking — a first in the industry — and we continue to make improvements to help ensure the technology is being used as intended. This new industry specification builds upon the AirTag protections, and through collaboration with Google results in a critical step forward to help combat unwanted tracking across iOS and Android.”
New iPhones currently automatically alert users when an unknown AirTag is following them. Android users can’t use any official tools to identify these stalking devices, let alone automatically, except from a shaky manual programme. Additionally, neither iOS nor Android can automatically and by default detect trackers from other brands. Therefore, Apple and Google could finally address the issue of convenient stalking brought on by AirTags, Tile devices, and other Bluetooth trackers by incorporating this specification into their mobile operating systems.
