Apple and Google have teamed up to combat the use of Bluetooth devices for unwanted tracking. These devices, which are commonly used to find lost items such as keys and luggage, have also been utilized by stalkers to track unsuspecting individuals.
In an effort to tackle this problem, the two technology giants have put forth a proposal to establish standards for combating covert surveillance on Apple’s AirTag trackers and comparable devices.
Support for the proposal has also come from Samsung, which sells the most Android smartphones worldwide, as well as from tracking products like Tile, Chipolo, and Pebblebee.
AirTag’s Popularity and Stalking Risks
Apple’s AirTag has become a popular item since its release in 2021. It helps users pinpoint the location of a wide variety of lost property. Nevertheless, there have been instances where stalkers have utilized AirTags and comparable products to monitor ex-partners and other individuals who are unaware of being tracked.
Dave Burke, who serves as Google’s Vice President of Engineering for Android, stated that Bluetooth trackers have generated substantial advantages for users. However, they also have the capability to facilitate undesired tracking, necessitating a comprehensive industry solution.
Distributing the Solution
By the end of this year, Apple and AirTag aim to devise a strategy to counteract covert tracking. The remedy will be disseminated through software updates to both iPhones and Android phones.
This effort to set an industry standard has been applauded by many, including the senior director of National Network to End Domestic Violence’s Safety Net Project, Erica Olsen.
According to Olsen, the fresh protocols will curtail the chances of exploiting this technology and ease the burden on victims in detecting uninvited trackers. This is particularly relevant as many individuals experiencing abuse are unable to leave their home environments and may be at an increased risk of being tracked.
The collaboration between Apple and Google on this issue is significant as they have historically been fierce competitors in the tech industry. However, the importance of protecting users from potential harm and invasion of privacy has brought them together to work towards a common goal.
Overall, the joint effort of Apple, Google, Samsung, and other tracking product manufacturers to combat unwanted tracking through Bluetooth devices is a positive step towards protecting individuals from invasive surveillance. The plan to set industry standards is a necessary measure to prevent the abuse of this technology and provide peace of mind to those who may be at risk.
The distribution of the solution through software updates is a practical approach to ensuring that all users have access to the same protections. While there is still work to be done to finalize the plan, the goal of having a solution in place by the end of this year is promising.
