Apple and Google Join Hands to Address Issue of Unwanted Tracking in iOS and Android

Apple and Google have recently announced their collaboration to address the issue of unwanted tracking using Bluetooth devices. The two companies have worked together to create an industry specification for Bluetooth tracking devices that makes it possible to alert users across both iOS and Android if such a device is unknowingly being used to track them. 

Google and Apple have jointly created an industry specification called "Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers" (DULT) for Bluetooth tracking devices. The goal is to alert users across both iOS and Android platforms if a Bluetooth tracking device is unknowingly being used to track them. Apple is implementing this capability in iOS 17.5, and Google is now launching this capability on Android 6.0+ devices.

In iOS 17.5, users will receive an alert message saying "[Item] Found Moving With You" if an unknown Bluetooth tracking device is detected moving with them over time. This applies to devices like AirTag, Find My accessories, or other industry-compatible Bluetooth trackers. If a user receives this alert, they can view the tracker's identifier, play a sound to locate it, and access instructions to disable it.

On Android devices running Android 6.0+, users will receive a "Tracker traveling with you" warning when an unknown Bluetooth tracker is detected moving with them. Similar to iOS, they can identify the tracker, sound it, and find instructions to disable it. This functionality extends to Google's Find My Device network and other compatible devices.

Major Bluetooth tag manufacturers such as Chipolo, eufy, Jio, Motorola, and Pebblebee have committed to making their future tags compatible with this new specification. This cross-platform collaboration, involving community and industry input, provides instructions and best practices for manufacturers to build unwanted tracking alert capabilities into their products.

Apple and Google are actively participating in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) via the Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers working group. Their aim is to develop an official standard for this technology, ensuring broad adoption and consistent implementation across the tracking tech industry.

Remember that not all existing trackers will trigger alerts, as some may lack compatibility with the newly introduced industry specification. However, this initiative represents a significant step toward enhancing user privacy and safety in the world of Bluetooth tracking devices.

Advertisements