Google is working to inform the user through an alert if there are devices near him that move with him, in order to avoid the many cases of harassment that have been caused by these.
Mishal Rahman, ex-editor of XDA Developers, has posted on his Twitter account this novelty that Google is working on.
Bluetooth trackers are little high-tech tools that keep an eye on things you don’t want to lose. The Apple AirTag is an example of these devices that have become so fashionable.
despite the comfortthese trackers have a serious problem if they are used for malicious purposes: Anyone can slip the devices into an unsuspecting person’s bag or attach them to their car. The stalker could monitor the victim’s location without her knowledge.
For example, in November 2021, a notification appeared on a TikTok user’s phone about an unknown device that had been following them from Texas to Maine.
He told his viewers that even after turning off his Bluetooth and location services, his phone kept telling him to “an unknown accessory has been moving with you for a while.”
Google is working on “unfamiliar device alerts” which will “[check] for nearby Bluetooth devices” and alert you if “unknown devices are found to be moving with you.” This is coming to Android devices via Google Play Services. Here’s a first look at its settings page. pic.twitter.com/jd8qcrwt75
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) April 8, 2022
With all this on the table, Google has decided to take action: it could soon add a detection function for Bluetooth trackers, not just AirTags, directly on Android.
As you can see in the tweet, it reports Google’s work on this problem. Besides, he comments that this will come to Android devices through Google Play Services. Leave us an image of what the configuration page looks like.
Despite all this, the detection of Bluetooth trackers on Android is still in the development phase and there is still a lot of work to be done, since at the moment it requires a manual activation of the scan. It doesn’t work automatically in the background to find trackers that are moving with you, as it happens with the iPhone.
Many media doubt whether this initiative comes only from Google or is born in conjunction with others involved such as Apple itself, Tile or Samsung. If this is really the case, they would be showing their involvement with the problem at a general level and seeking an interoperable solution among all.
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism