Apple and Google join forces to fight location-tracker abuse

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After a bit of confusion, Lufthansa says it won't ban AirTags from checked baggage.
It'll soon be easier for Android users to tell if they are being tracked by an AirTag.
Photo: Daniel Romero/Unsplash License

Apple and Google jointly proposed an industry specification Tuesday to help fight the misuse of Bluetooth location-tracking devices. Their proposal would make it easier for both iPhone and Android users to detect that they are being surreptitiously followed by a tracking device.

The proposal enjoys support from other makers of location trackers, too.

Hoping to stomp out location-tracker abuse

Location trackers like Apple’s AirTag are small gadgets that use wireless tech to make them findable. Attach one to your keys or luggage, and it’ll help you locate them if they go missing. Police in New York City even recently handed out 500 AirTags to help stymie car thieves.

However, some bad actors utilize AirTags and similar trackers for nefarious activities. About the size of a Mentos mint, an AirTag is small enough to be secretly stashed in an unsuspecting person’s pocket or bag. As a result, stalkers sometimes misuse the devices, as do other criminals, despite the safety features built into the trackers.

“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,” said Ron Huang, Apple VP of sensing and connectivity, in a statement Tuesday announcing the initiative. “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.”

Apple and Google team up to fight misuse of Bluetooth trackers

As important as these two companies are, broad support from the industry will be important for the proposal to make a difference. Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, eufy Security and Pebblebee — all of which make location trackers — support the draft specification.

And they aren’t alone.

“The National Network to End Domestic Violence has been advocating for universal standards to protect survivors — and all people — from the misuse of Bluetooth tracking devices. This collaboration and the resulting standards are a significant step forward,” said Erica Olsen, the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s senior director of its Safety Net Project. “These new standards will minimize opportunities for abuse of this technology and decrease the burden on survivors in detecting unwanted trackers.”

Apple and Googled submitted the proposed specification, entitled “Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers,” as an Internet-Draft via the Internet Engineering Task Force, a leading standards development organization. Comments will be accepted for the next three months. After that, Apple and Google will create a specification that makers of location-tracking devices can follow. The companies plan to implement it in future versions of iOS and Android.

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