According to Apple’s official press release, today, Apple and Google jointly submitted a proposed industry specification to help combat the abuse of Bluetooth location tracking devices for unnecessary tracking.
Apple says location tracking devices can help users find personal items, such as keys, wallets, and luggage, through crowdsourced search networks. But they can also be misused for unwanted personal tracking.
This first-of-its-kind specification will allow Bluetooth location-tracking devices to be compatible with tracking detection and alerts across iOS and Android platforms. Major tracker brands such as Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, eufy Security and Pebblebee have already indicated their support for the draft specification.
▲ Apple AirTag Tracker
The specification has been submitted as a draft through the IETF (International Internet Engineering Task Force, a civil international industry technical standardization organization) and will be reviewed and discussed over the next three months. After the discussion period, Apple and Google will work together to address feedback and will release a production implementation of the tracking alert specification by the end of 2023, which will then be supported in future versions of iOS and Android.
