On Tuesday, Apple and Google announced a joint initiative to prevent the misuse of online Bluetooth tracking devices, such as Apple’s AirTag. The two companies have developed a specification that is proposed as an industry standard for iOS and Android and is supported by many third-party companies that offer such trackers, including Chipolo, eufy Security, Pebblebee, Samsung and Tile.
“Apple launched AirTag to give users the peace of mind of where to find their most important items,” said Ron Huang, Apple’s vice president of Sensing and Connectivity. “We built AirTag and the Find My network with a suite of proactive features to discourage unwanted tracking – an industry first – and we continue to make improvements to ensure the technology is used as intended. This new industry specification builds on AirTag protections and, through partnership with Google, represents a critical step forward to help combat unwanted tracking on iOS and Android.”
An Internet version of the specification has been submitted to the Internet Engineering Task Force, a standards development organization. During the next three months, Apple and Google encourage review and comment on the specification, and feedback will be addressed after the response period. A production version of the specification is planned for the end of 2023.
In 2021, Apple released AirTag, a small, disk-shaped device that uses Bluetooth to track its location. After pairing with an iPhone, an AirTag can be placed in a bag, on a keychain, or anywhere else to track its location. However, AirTag and other Bluetooth tracking devices have been used nefariously, with reports of the devices being used in several stalking cases reported to police. Apple responded by making several changes to the way AirTags work.
Google is rumored to be making an AirTag-like tracker for Android phones that could launch alongside the Pixel 8 in October.
Read our review and list of major issues with AirTag to learn more about AirTag. We also have a list of ways to use AirTag and information on how to find, block and disable an unknown AirTag that goes with you. We also have reviews of other Bluetooth trackers.
