Google and Apple have worked together to develop a spam detection standard that can alert users on Android and iOS when a device is inadvertently being tracked.
The Spam Detection Standard is a cross-platform initiative designed to prevent Bluetooth trackers from being misused to track people without their knowledge.
This helps reduce misuse of devices used to facilitate asset tracking.
Google is now rolling out this feature to devices running Android 6 and later, and Apple implemented it in iOS 17.5.
With this new feature, Android users will now receive a “Tracker is traveling with you” message when an unknown Bluetooth tracker is detected traveling with the user, regardless of which platform the user is connected to.
If a user receives such an alert on an Android device, it means that someone else's AirTag device, a networked Find My Device tracker, or another industry-specific Bluetooth tracker is moving. with her.
Android users can view the tracker ID, have the tracker beep to help locate it, and access instructions to turn it off.
Bluetooth tracker manufacturers like Chipolo, eufy, Jio, Motorola and Pebblebee have promised compatibility with future devices.
Google's Find My Device app is designed to be secure and private by default.
Multiple layers of user protection help reduce potential risks to user privacy and security while allowing users to locate and recover lost devices.
This cross-platform collaboration provides guidance to manufacturers when they decide to integrate unwanted tracking alerts into their products.
Google and Apple continue to work with the Internet Engineering Task Force as part of the Spam Detection Working Group to develop official standards for the technology.