Ever since the release of AirTags back in 2021, privacy experts have raised their concerns over stalkers using them to track individuals and invade their privacy. Now, in an effort to address this issue, Google and Apple are teaming up to develop an industry specification that will mandate the implementation of “unauthorized tracking detection and alerts” across Android and iOS devices.
Under the proposed specification, both Android and iOS devices will get alerts when an AirTag has been following them for long periods and provide instructions on how to locate and disable the device.
Bad actors using Apple’s ‘Find My’ network
While Apple’s AirTags are not the only Bluetooth trackers on the market, the company’s 2 billion devices’ strong “Find My” network made AirTags one of the best devices to keep track of items. Unfortunately, this also caught the attention of bad actors who started using the network to track people and commit theft.
After multiple reports of these illicit activities came to light, Apple released several new features, including new privacy warnings and alerts, and expanded its documentation in February 2022. However, these features only worked on iOS, leaving Android users vulnerable.
“Bluetooth trackers have created tremendous user benefits, but they also bring the potential of unwanted tracking, which requires industrywide action to solve,” said Dave Burke, Google’s vice president of Engineering for Android.
Apple and Google seeking input
Although Google and Apple have submitted the proposed specification to the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) as an Internet-Draft, they are seeking input from other industry participants and advocacy groups to develop the tracking standard. Moreover, other Bluetooth tracker manufacturers like Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, Eufy Security, and Pebblebee have expressed their interest in the draft.
“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,” said Ron Huang, Apple’s vice president of sensing and connectivity.
2023-05-08 15:19:17