Google has introduced new security updates for Android’s “unknown tracker alerts” to enhance user privacy and safety. These updates aim to address growing concerns about Bluetooth trackers being used for stalking or other harmful purposes.
The first feature allows Android users to pause location sharing with a Find My Device-compatible tag if an unknown tracker is detected. This temporary pause lasts up to 24 hours and provides immediate privacy while users locate and physically disable the tracker. “This provides an extra layer of privacy and control,” Google explained in a blog post.
The second feature helps users pinpoint unknown trackers nearby. When alerted to a rogue tracker, users can select the “Find Nearby” option to view its precise location. They can then move closer to the tracker and use the “Play sound” feature to identify it. Google advises users to disable the tracker once located and to move to a safe location if they suspect malicious intent.
Bluetooth trackers, while helpful for locating lost items, have increasingly been misused. Some individuals have used these devices to monitor people’s movements without consent by planting them in vehicles or belongings. Apple has faced lawsuits over AirTags being used for stalking and, in one case, facilitating murder.
In response to these issues, Apple has implemented several updates to minimize AirTag misuse. The company also partnered with Google to develop a unified standard for Bluetooth tracking alerts, enabling both iOS and Android devices to detect and alert users to unknown trackers. For its next generation of AirTags, Apple is reportedly working on making the speakers harder to disable, further reducing the risk of misuse.
These updates mark another step in the ongoing effort to ensure Bluetooth tracking devices are used responsibly while giving users tools to protect their privacy.
