Apple and Google unite to combat AirTag stalking

Apple and Google are two of the biggest names in the tech industry and while they’re normally rivals the two giants are putting differences aside for something more important. The pair have come together with a new proposal that will hopefully end the misuse of location-tracking devices such as AirTags for stalking and unwanted tracking of others.

As announced by Apple, they and Google have jointly submitted a proposed industry specification to fight back against the misuse of Bluetooth location-tracking devices for unwanted tracking, with this first-of-its-kind specification aimed at making these devices compatible with unauthorised tracking detection and alerts across both the iOS and Android platforms. Apple and Google have also gotten support from other manufacturers of these location-tracking devices, such as Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, Eufy and Pebblebee for this proposal.

“Bluetooth trackers have created tremendous user benefits, but they also bring the potential of unwanted tracking, which requires industrywide 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,” – Dave Burke, Google vice president of Engineering for Android

The proposed specification for Bluetooth location-tracking devices has already been submitted to the Internet Engineering Task Force, a leading standards development organisation; you can read Apple and Google’s full proposal here. The pair are inviting interested parties to read and review their proposal over the next three months, after which they will address feedback and release a production implementation of the specification by the end of the year that will be supported on future versions of iOS and Android.

“Apple launched AirTag to give users the peace of mind knowing where to find their most important items. We built AirTag and the Find My network with a set of proactive features to discourage unwanted tracking — a first in the industry — and we continue to make improvements to help ensure the technology is being used as intended.

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,” – Ron Huang, Apple vice president of Sensing and Connectivity.

Apple and Google’s proposal has already garnered support from various safety and advocacy groups too, with the National Network to End Domestic Violence noting that they’ve been advocating for universal standards to protect people from the misuse of Bluetooth tracking devices for a while now and are encouraged by the progress being made. The Center for Democracy and Technology meanwhile added that they commend the partnership between Apple and Google and look forward to the specification moving through the standardisation process.