Apple and Google Launch Cross-Platform Feature to Detect Unwanted Bluetooth Tracking Devices
Apple and Google have officially launched a groundbreaking cross-platform feature designed to alert users if they are being tracked by unwanted Bluetooth devices. This collaborative initiative, dubbed "Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers" (DULT), aims to enhance user privacy and safety by notifying individuals on both iOS and Android platforms if a Bluetooth tracking device is being used to monitor their movements without their knowledge or consent.
A Year in the Making: The Evolution of DULT
The idea for this cross-platform solution was first proposed exactly a year ago by Apple and Google, two of the world's leading tech giants. The feature has now been rolled out, available for Android devices running version 6.0 and later, as well as iOS devices updated to iOS 17.5. This marks a significant step forward in addressing the growing concern over the misuse of Bluetooth tracking devices, such as Apple's AirTags, which have been increasingly exploited for malicious purposes.
How DULT Works: Protecting User Privacy
The new DULT feature is designed to operate seamlessly across different platforms, offering consistent protection regardless of the operating system. For Android users, the system triggers a "tracker traveling with you" alert if an unknown Bluetooth tracking device is detected moving with them over time. iOS users receive a similar notification, labelled "[Item] Found Moving With You." Once alerted, users can view the tracker's identifier, play a sound to help locate it, and follow instructions to disable it if necessary.
"This cross-platform collaboration — also an industry first — involves community and industry input to ensure best practices for manufacturers who choose to build unwanted tracking alert capabilities into their products," Apple and Google stated in a joint release.
The Growing Threat of Unwanted Tracking
The development of DULT is a direct response to increasing reports of Bluetooth tracking devices being misused for stalking and other criminal activities. Devices like Apple's AirTags, initially designed to help users keep track of their belongings, have become tools for bad actors to surreptitiously monitor individuals' movements. A class-action lawsuit filed against Apple in October 2023 highlighted the risks, calling AirTags "one of the most dangerous and frightening technologies employed by stalkers."
The problem has prompted academic research into more secure tracking mechanisms. In 2023, researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the University of California, San Diego, introduced a cryptographic method called multi-dealer secret sharing (MDSS). This approach aims to balance privacy and safety by offering a more secure system for location tracking, addressing some of the vulnerabilities that current tracking devices pose.
Continued Commitment to Security
The launch of DULT is not the only recent security update from Apple. The company also backported a fix for a security flaw in the RTKit real-time operating system (CVE-2024-23296) to older versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. This update underscores Apple's ongoing commitment to maintaining the security and privacy of its users across all devices.
As Bluetooth tracking devices become more prevalent, the collaboration between Apple and Google sets a new standard for user protection. The DULT feature represents a significant advance in the fight against unwanted tracking, offering users greater control over their personal security in an increasingly connected world.
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