Eager to strengthen their users’ privacy and put an end to a new form of unwanted tracking with Bluetooth beacons, Apple and Google have agreed on a standard aimed at alerting potential victims.
It’s official, iPhone users and Android smartphone owners will soon receive alerts when an unknown Bluetooth device appears to be being used to track them without their knowledge. The feature is built into the all-new iOS 17.5, while Google will implement the feature from Android 6.0.
An “anti-stalking” alert to Apple and Google
If a user receives such an alert on their smartphone, it means that a tracker (AirTag or other Bluetooth tracker) belonging to someone else is moving with them. Your smartphone will then be able to display the tracker’s ID and have the tracker make a sound to help locate it, not to mention instructions for turning it off.
The Chipolo, eufy, Jio, Motorola, and Pebblebee brands have pledged to ensure that future equipment is compatible. This will prevent any form of non-consensual digital stalking, such as the man who spied on his wife with an AirTag.
Google and Apple face new technological threats
“With this new feature, users will now receive a ‘[Object] found moving with you’ alert on their device, if an unknown Bluetooth tracking device is seen moving with them over time, regardless of the platform the device is paired with,” Apple says.
The two American giants make it clear that this feature will not directly block tracking devices, but that it will allow users to be aware of their presence, and if necessary to take the necessary measures.
It’s an unprecedented collaboration from the iPhone and Pixel designers, who are already promising to continue exploring other ways to improve user privacy protection “in the face of new technological threats.” Recall that late last year, Apple came under fire for failing to protect dozens of victims from small AirTag trackers.
