Tech giants Apple and Google have collaborated to stop the use of Bluetooth tracking devices from stalking people without their consent.
These Bluetooth devices were specifically made to help users find lost things like keys, Wallets, Luggage, and Wristwatch, or locate other things that have the tendency to be missed, but have however been misused for stalking and unwanted tracking of people.
Google’s Vice President speaking on the issue said, “Bluetooth trackers have created tremendous users benefits, but they also bring the potential of unwanted tracking, which requires industry-wide action to solve. Android has an unwavering commitment to protecting users, and will continue to develop strong safeguards and collaborate with the industry to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth tracking devices.”
In a bid to address this issue, Google and Apple via a proposal, have outlined standards to ensure products like Apple Airtag and similar tech gadgets aren’t misused for stalking people. The proposal is also backed by Samsung and the companies that produce other popular tracking brands such as Chipolo, Tile, and Pebblebee.
The companies disclosed that they plan to create software that will send an alert to a user’s phone when it detects a nearby tracker that has been separated from the owner’s device and help them find and disable it.
The trackers would be designed to make a sound when it is separated from its owner’s device, or when a non-owner has been notified of its presence and is trying to find it. Manufacturers would also have to provide instructions or a visual guide on how to disable a tracker once a non-owner finds it.
Speaking on the collaboration of Google and Apple to address the misuse of Bluetooth trackers from tracking and stalking people without their consent, the CEO of the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) Alexandra Reeve Givens said,
“Today’s release of a draft specification is a welcome step to confront harmful misuses of Bluetooth location trackers. CDT continues to focus on ways to make these devices more detectable and reduce the likelihood that they will be used to track people. A key element to reducing misuse is a universal, OS-level solution that can detect trackers made by different companies on the variety of smartphones that people use every day.
“We commend Apple and Google for their partnership and dedication to developing a uniform solution to improve detectability. We look forward to the specification moving through the standardization process and to further engagement on ways to reduce the risk of Bluetooth location trackers being misused”.
Although, Apple and Google did not provide a date on when the features would be rolled out, which will come in the form of software updates. However, Investors King understands that Apple has disclosed that it is hopeful to have a version of the updates released by the end of the year.