Tech Giants Apple and Google spearhead an industry effort to develop a standard curbing intrusive tracking practices
In a groundbreaking move, tech giants Apple and Google have collaborated to develop a new specification aimed at combating unwanted tracking by Bluetooth location-tracking devices. The specification, submitted as an Internet-Draft via the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), is the first-of-its-kind in the industry.
The specification offers best practices and instructions for manufacturers, should they choose to build these capabilities into their products. It is designed to alert users in the event of suspected unwanted tracking, and will be supported in future versions of iOS and Android.
The development of this specification has been a collaborative effort between Apple and Google, with specific details about other contributing parties or organizations not explicitly provided in the available search results. However, the specification has incorporated feedback from device manufacturers and various safety and advocacy groups during its development.
Google's vice president of Engineering for Android, Dave Burke, stated that the specification is necessary to solve the potential of unwanted tracking by Bluetooth trackers. He emphasized that Android will continue to develop strong safeguards to combat the misuse of these devices. Apple's vice president of Sensing and Connectivity, Ron Huang, stated that the specification builds upon the AirTag protections and is a critical step forward to help combat unwanted tracking across iOS and Android.
The specification review and comment process is open to interested parties, and interested parties are invited and encouraged to review and comment on the specification over the next three months. Following the comment period, Apple and Google will partner to address feedback and will release a production implementation of the specification for unwanted tracking alerts by the end of 2023.
Several device manufacturers, including Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, eufy Security, and Pebblebee, have expressed support for the draft specification. The production implementation of the specification will be supported in future versions of iOS and Android, making Bluetooth location-tracking devices compatible with unauthorized tracking detection and alerts across iOS and Android platforms.
This industry-wide specification is a significant step forward in ensuring user privacy and security in the use of Bluetooth location-tracking devices. It underscores Apple and Google's commitment to protecting their users from potential privacy breaches and unwanted tracking.
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