Apple and Google have recently announced their collaboration to address the issue of unwanted foreign tracking through location tracking devices such as Apple’s AirTag.
Sometimes, AirTag is not only used to track important lost items, but is also used for criminal activities such as tracking someone without permission, prompting the companies to intervene and address this problem.
According to GSM Arena, the actions taken by Apple and Google will become a standard for other companies and industries to prevent misuse of location tracking with unwanted Bluetooth media. This means that devices like AirTag will be able to detect and warn users of any unauthorized tracking from Android or iOS.
Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, eufy Security, and Pebblebee are reported to have expressed their support for this draft action, where factories and industries that also have similar tracking products will include new specifications to prevent any indication of illegal tracking that may go unnoticed by the victim.
The new tracking device specifications created by Apple and Google will undergo a review and comment period of three months at the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). After the review period, the companies will partner to address the feedback received and release an implementation version of the product by the end of this year.
