Apple and Google declare war on unwanted tracking
AirTags and other small tracking devices are super handy for locating lost items. But sometimes, unfortunately, they are also used to secretly spy on people. Apple and Google have now jointly proposed an industry standard to prevent stalking with such devices.
Like Apple in one press release announced that other companies such as Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, eufy Security and Pebblebee have also expressed their support for the draft specification announced to ensure that Bluetooth tracking devices such as AirTags cannot be misused.
The industry standard is the first of its kind and makes it possible to detect unwanted tracking and send alerts across iOS and Android platforms.
Recently, cases of undesired tracking with Bluetooth trackers such as Apple’s AirTags have become known. Apple has taken measures to prevent stalking with AirTags, such as a warning tone when someone else’s AirTag is in the vicinity of another person for a certain period of time.
Potential victims also receive instructions on their iPhone on how to turn off the alien AirTag in their area. However, this anti-stalking protection only works if everyone involved is using an iPhone. However, that is about to change.
“A first in the industry”
“Apple launched AirTag to give users the confidence to find their most important items,” said Ron Huang, Apple’s vice president of sensing and connectivity. AirTag and the Find My network have been equipped with a number of proactive features to prevent unwanted tracking – an industry first. The company also continues to work on improvements to ensure the technology is used as intended.
“This new industry standard builds on AirTag’s defenses and, in collaboration with Google, is a critical step forward to combat unwanted tracking on iOS and Android,” said Huang.
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“Bluetooth trackers have brought tremendous benefits to users, but they also harbor the potential for unwanted tracking that only cross-industry efforts can solve,” said Dave Burke, Google’s vice president of engineering for Android. “Android is relentless in protecting users and will continue to develop strong protections and work with the industry to combat Bluetooth tracker abuse.”
Today’s release of a draft specification is a welcome step in addressing the harmful misuse of Bluetooth location devices, said Alexandra Reeve Givens, President and CEO of the Center for Democracy & Technology.
Companies interested in the draft industry standard have three months to review and comment. By the end of 2023, Apple and Google want to publish an implementation of the standard that prevents unwanted tracking through warnings. This will be supported in future versions of the iOS and Android mobile operating systems.
