Two tech giants, Apple and Google, have decided to collaborate to protect the privacy of their users. But what is the reason for this unexpected alliance?

Apple and Google want to fight against the misuse of Bluetooth tracking devices for unwanted tracking purposes. They will therefore collaborate to design a specification, which will also be supported by Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, eufy Security and Pebblebee.

Block unauthorized trackers on Android and iOS

This industrial specification will block unauthorized Bluetooth tracking devices, such as any AirTag type tracker, on iOS and Android platforms. Manufacturers of these devices will therefore need to follow best practices and guidelines to integrate these features into their products, or be blocked.

As a reminder, these trackers, and other tracking devices, allow users to easily find their personal items, such as their keys, purse, luggage and many other things. However, they can also be misused to track individuals without their knowledge. It is to combat this problem that Apple and Google have decided to join forces and submit a common industrial specification.

Ron Huang, vice president of detection and connectivity at Apple, points out that this new specification builds on the existing protections of AirTags and represents a major step forward in combating unwanted tracking on iOS and Android. For his part, Dave Burke, vice president of engineering for Android at Google, recalls Android’s unwavering commitment to user protection.

In addition to device manufacturers, various advocacy and security groups have been involved in the development of this specification. The initiative is thus welcomed by organizations such as the National Network to End Domestic Violence and the Center for Democracy & Technology, which see this collaboration as a significant step forward in reducing abuse related to the use of Bluetooth tracking devices. .

The specification has been submitted as an Internet-Draft to the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), a leading standards development organization. Interested parties are invited to review and comment on this draft over the next three months. Following this comment period, Apple and Google will work together to investigate feedback and release a production implementation of the specification by the end of 2023. This will be supported in future versions of iOS and Android.