Bluetooth location-tracking device to be compatible with unauthorized tracking detection and alerts on iOS and Android platforms. (Representational image)
Apple and Google have come together and proposed an industry specification to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth location-tracking devices for unwanted tracking.
You may have seen stories about how bluetooth trackers like the Apple AirTag or Tile are used by stalkers to track down victims. Bluetooth trackers or even the Apple AirTag are very cheap and easy to use. These trackers can be hidden anywhere and the worst part is that you will not even know that you are being tracked. Of course, AirTag has anti-stalking features but it is not enough.
Location-tracking devices help users locate personal items such as their keys, purse, luggage, and more through a crowdsourced finding network. However, they can also be misused for unwanted tracking of individuals.
Now, in a welcome move, Apple and Google have come together and proposed an industry specification to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth location-tracking devices for unwanted tracking. This will allow Bluetooth location-tracking devices to be compatible with Unauthorized Tracking Detection and Alerts on the iOS and Android platforms.
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Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, eufy Security, and Pebblebee have expressed support for the draft specification, which provides best practices and instructions for manufacturers should they choose to build these capabilities into their products.
“Apple launched AirTag to give users peace of mind knowing where their most important items are. We built the AirTag and 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 ensure the technology is used as intended. Used to be. This new industry specification builds on AirTag security, and is an important step forward in helping combat unwanted tracking on iOS and Android through a collaboration with Google,” said Ron Huang, Apple’s vice president of sensing and connectivity.
“Bluetooth trackers have created tremendous user benefits, but they also bring the potential for unwanted tracking, which requires industry-wide action to resolve. Android has an unwavering commitment to protecting users, and Bluetooth tracking Will continue to develop stronger security measures and collaborate with industry to help combat misuse of devices,” said Dave Burke, Google’s vice president of engineering for Android.
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The specification is submitted as an Internet-Draft through the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), a major standards development organization. Interested parties are invited and encouraged to review and comment over the next three months. Following the comment period, Apple and Google will partner to address the feedback, and release a production implementation of the specification for unwanted tracking alerts by the end of 2023 that will be supported in future versions of iOS and Android.
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