Innovative collaboration between Apple and Google to secure user privacy

Apple and Google have entered into an unprecedented collaboration in the technology field, announcing a new industry specification called "Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers". This standard is designed to alert iOS and Android users about unknown location trackers, helping them protect their privacy. With the increased use of tracking devices such as Apple AirTags and other Bluetooth trackers, concerns about user security and privacy have multiplied. With the new “Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers” specification, users will now be able to rely on a cross-platform system to identify unwanted tracking devices.

Protection from Bluetooth tracker abuse

The main aim of this joint initiative is to safeguard users from potential abuse of cheap Bluetooth trackers, which are often used illicitly. Thanks to the new specification, iOS and Android devices will be able to send notifications to users whenever they detect an unknown Bluetooth tracker, regardless of the tracker model. This represents a significant step for location data security and privacy protection, creating a barrier against possible malicious uses of these tracking technologies.

A year of shared development between two tech giants

The collaboration between Apple and Google to create this standard began over a year ago, with the first announcement made in May 2024 indicating the intention to develop a specification for the detection of unknown trackers. The process required numerous development and testing phases, with the goal of creating a robust and reliable solution that can be integrated into iOS and Android operating systems. This initiative represents not only an important step forward for tracking technology, but also a significant statement of intent by the two companies to protect user privacy.

Launching in conjunction with new system updates

The introduction of the new specification coincides with Apple's iOS 17.5 update, which includes support for the "Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers" feature. At the same time, Google has integrated the necessary tools into Android 6.0 and later devices via automatic updates. Furthermore, as an additional novelty, the Find My Device network for Android phones is now also available in Italy. With this specification, users of both platforms can take immediate steps to protect their privacy and the security of their devices, maintaining total control over location data and combating unauthorized tracking.