Stay Alert: Android Phones to Detect AirTags Nearby!

AirTags have become a popular tool for tracking the location of various items, but unfortunately, they have also been used to illegally track individuals. In response to this issue, Apple and Google have teamed up to propose an industry specification that aims to prevent the misuse of Bluetooth location-tracking devices for unwanted tracking. This specification will enable Bluetooth-based trackers to send warnings and block unauthorized tracking on Android phones, iPhones, and other devices. While Google does not currently sell its own Bluetooth trackers, Apple has confirmed that AirTags will be supported. Additionally, several companies including Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, eufy Security, and Pebblebee have expressed their support for the draft.

The act of placing an AirTag in someone's belongings, such as a backpack or car, and subsequently tracking their location has become increasingly common. Although Apple has implemented some safeguards, they have proven to be ineffective in certain scenarios. For example, the AirTag is designed to start beeping when it is away from its owner for too long, but some individuals remove the speaker before using it to track others. Furthermore, while iPhones can display alerts when an unknown AirTag is detected moving with the user, this feature is not available for Android users (or those without smartphones). Apple has released a "Tracker Detect" app for Android devices, but it can only scan for tracking devices when the app is open.

However, some critics argue that Apple is only trying to address an issue that it created, and that it is two years too late in doing so. While Bluetooth trackers were already available before the introduction of AirTags, none of them had a network as extensive as Apple's "Find My" Network. As such, it remains to be seen how long it will take for the proposed standard to be fully implemented and operational.