Tech Giants Google and Apple Collaborate to Tackle Unwanted Location Tracking on Popular Bluetooth Trackers
Google and Apple, two of the world’s largest tech giants, are teaming up to combat unwanted location tracking on their platforms. In a joint press release, the companies announced that they submitted a draft industry specification to the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), a standards development organization, that aims to allow Bluetooth location-tracking devices to be compatible with unauthorized tracking detection and alerts across iOS and Android platforms.
Bluetooth trackers, such as Apple’s AirTag and Tile, have become increasingly popular for their ability to help people keep track of their belongings. However, these devices also pose a risk of unwanted tracking, raising concerns about privacy and safety. In response, Google and Apple are taking action to address this issue.
“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, in a statement.
The draft specification will offer examples and instructions for manufacturers and has received support from companies such as Samsung, Chipolo, eufy Security, Pebblebee, and Tile. The companies are inviting interested parties, including safety and advocacy groups, to review and comment on the specification over the next three months.
Google’s vice president of Engineering for Android, Dave Burke, acknowledged the potential benefits of Bluetooth trackers but stressed the need for industry-wide action to solve the problem of unwanted tracking.
“Bluetooth trackers have created tremendous user benefits, but they also bring the potential of unwanted tracking, which requires industrywide action to solve,” stated Burke in the same press release.
The companies will partner to address feedback and release a production implementation of the specification for unwanted tracking alerts by the end of the year. This collaboration represents a significant step towards ensuring user privacy and security on Bluetooth location-tracking devices.
