When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works

Home / News / Apple and Google team up to stop stalking via Bluetooth trackers

Apple and Google team up to stop stalking via Bluetooth trackers

Improved alerts across both Android and iOS devices

Apple and Google have jointly announced work on a standard for Bluetooth trackers like Apple’s AirTags and Tile trackers aimed at reducing the possibility they could be used by stalkers.

Google’s involvement is because of the required integration with Android, although there are continued rumours that the company will launch its own tracker at Google I/O next week.

As well as Tile, the idea also has the initial support of Samsung who sells its Galaxy SmartTag as well as Anker’s Eufy security brand, Chopolo and Pebblebee.

Apple’s AirTags faced a lot of criticism when they first launched two years ago and numerous stalking stories have emerged. Apple has released updates for the trackers aimed at tackling the problem.

The new specification focuses on alerts for unwanted tracking across devices and should be finalised by the end of the year.

“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.

Ron Huang, Apple’s vice president of Sensing and Connectivity added: “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.”

Apple and Google are buddies when it suits them and when it doesn’t… well, they’re more like frenemies.

Profile image of Dan Grabham Dan Grabham Editor-in-Chief

About

Dan is Editor-in-chief of Stuff, working across the magazine and the Stuff.tv website.  Our Editor-in-Chief is a regular at tech shows such as CES in Las Vegas, IFA in Berlin and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona as well as at other launches and events. He has been a CES Innovation Awards judge. Dan is completely platform agnostic and very at home using and writing about Windows, macOS, Android and iOS/iPadOS plus lots and lots of gadgets including audio and smart home gear, laptops and smartphones. He's also been interviewed and quoted in a wide variety of places including The Sun, BBC World Service, BBC News Online, BBC Radio 5Live, BBC Radio 4, Sky News Radio and BBC Local Radio.

Areas of expertise

Computing, mobile, audio, smart home