Apple’s AirTag has upended the Bluetooth tracker market, surpassing Tile as the most desired device. AirTag has gained a household name due to its capacity to quickly identify personal belongings such as keys, wallets, and phones. On the other hand, Bluetooth trackers have generated worries about privacy and the potential for people to use them to track others without their knowledge.
To address these problems, Google and Apple have collaborated to establish a drafting specification to create uniform standards for Bluetooth tracker manufacturers. This announcement has received backing from companies such as Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, eufy Security, and Pebblebee.
The heart of this draught specification is developing an alert system that works on iOS and Android smartphones. The plan would alert users if a Bluetooth tracker were likely watching them, regardless of which company produced the tracker. Put another way, if an AirTag is following someone with an Android phone, their phone will notify them.
While Apple is the only company with a commercially available Bluetooth tracker, Google is said to be working on one. The Nest Locator Tag, codenamed “grogu” or “Baby Yoda,” could be deployed later this year.
Google and Apple are working with industry leaders and charitable organizations, including the National Network to End Domestic Violence, to create an inclusive draught specification that addresses the concerns of vulnerable groups, such as domestic violence victims at risk of being tracked by their abusers.