Google and Apple Collaborate on Universal Bluetooth Tracker Standards

With the introduction of Apple’s AirTag, the world witnessed a surge in the use of Bluetooth trackers. While these devices were primarily designed for assistance, concerns arose due to their misuse, often serving as covert tracking tools placed without consent in personal belongings.

Responding to these concerns, tech titans Google and Apple have collaboratively worked towards establishing a standardized solution to address these unknown tracker issues, which is nearing completion.

A Unified Approach to Trackers

Previous developments had seen Apple introducing measures to tackle the misuse of AirTags. However, these measures were tailored for Apple’s ecosystem, creating challenges for Android users and other third-party tracker brands, like Tile. The tide turned during Google I/O 2023 when the company announced its joint efforts with Apple to devise a universal standard. This initiative aims to be compatible across both iOS and Android platforms, encompassing all available trackers, irrespective of the manufacturer.

The envisioned technology intends to empower users with built-in tools to detect unwanted trackers, eliminating the need for specialized apps. Notably, prominent tracker manufacturers, including Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, eufy Security, and Pebblebee, have already aligned with this initiative.

Following the announcement, Google accelerated its efforts, enhancing its ‘Find my device’ feature and incorporating alerts on Android devices to notify users of unrecognized trackers. However, this marks just one step towards a comprehensive solution.

Signs of significant progress have emerged, as Mishaal Rahman identified the preliminary version of the “Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers” specification within the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) database.

This development paves the way for Apple to introduce its enhanced tracker detection feature. With the year nearing its end, it appears that the public release for iOS and an advanced “Find My Device” network for Android may be slated for 2024. The tech community eagerly anticipates these advancements, hoping for a swift resolution to the tracker concerns.