Alphabet Inc-owned Google and Apple Inc have announced to work together to curb unwanted tracking of people by Bluetooth devices such as AirTags used for finding lost items.
When this will be implemented is still unclear, but by the end of this year, the companies promise to release a production implementation of the specification. Apple and Google are not always competitors. Sometimes they want to make everyday life better for everyone.
In a unique collaboration to safeguard the misuse of location-tracking devices, the two industry giants have jointly submitted an industry specification to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth location-tracking devices for unwanted tracking.
New specification for detecting & alerting unauthorized lost item tags across Android and iOS. More to share at Google I/O next week! https://t.co/CSD3TEhAj6
— Dave Burke (@davey_burke) May 2, 2023
The two competitors
Apple and Google are competitors in many ways, but they have now teamed up to spearhead an initiative to develop an industry specification to combat unwanted tracking.
“The first-of-its-kind specification will allow Bluetooth location-tracking devices to be compatible with unauthorized tracking detection and alerts across Android and iOS platforms,” Google said in a blog post.
Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, eufy Security, and Pebblebee have already nominally joined the initiative, which offers best practices and instructions for manufacturers.
Users’ peace of mind
“Apple launched AirTag to give users the peace of mind of knowing where to find their most important items,” said Ron Huang, Apple’s Vice President of Sensing and Connectivity.
“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,” Huang added.
The specification has been submitted via the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), a leading standards development organization for review and comments over the next three months.
Along with feedback from device manufacturers, input from various safety and advocacy groups has been integrated into the development of the specification.
Tremendous user benefits
“Bluetooth trackers have created tremendous user benefits. But they also bring the potential of unwanted tracking, which requires industrywide action to solve,” said Dave Burke, Google’s Vice President of Engineering for Android.
“Android has an unwavering commitment to protecting users. It will continue to develop strong safeguards and collaborate with industry to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth tracking devices,” he added.
In addition to incorporating feedback from device manufacturers, input from safety and advocacy groups has been integrated into the development of specifications, said Apple and Google.
Privacy
Since the launch of AirTags, privacy experts and law enforcement have said some people use it for criminal or malicious purposes.
AirTags are intended to be slipped into or attached to keys, wallets, backpacks, and other items so people can find them when they are lost.
In an effort to boost privacy, Apple in 2021 had launched an Android detector app to help users scan nearby AirTags or other similar item trackers that might be traveling with them without their knowledge.
Earlier in 2020, Apple and Google also said they would ban the use of location tracking in apps that use a contact tracing system meant to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
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