Tech giants Apple and Google have come together to create a specification that will allow Bluetooth-enabled devices used to track personal items to be compatible with unauthorized tracking detection and alerts across iOS and Android platforms. The move comes in response to concerns about the potential for unwanted tracking and the need for industry-wide action to solve the issue.

According to a joint press release by the two companies, interested parties will have three months to share their feedback on the implementation, and Apple and Google are planning to release it by the end of 2023. It will be supported in future versions of iOS and Android.

The aim of the new standards is to minimize opportunities for the abuse of this technology and decrease the burden on survivors in detecting unwanted trackers. Erica Olsen, the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s senior director of its Safety Net Project, expressed her gratitude for these efforts and looks forward to continuing to work together to address unwanted tracking and misuse.

Bluetooth trackers have created tremendous user benefits, but they have also brought the potential of unwanted tracking. Dave Burke, Google’s vice president of Engineering for Android, acknowledged this issue, stating that the new standards will help solve this problem.

Apple’s AirTag, which was initially designed to track keys, phones, and luggage, has been abused to stalk and harass people. The creation of these new standards aims to address the concerns surrounding the potential misuse of this technology and provide a safer environment for all users. By taking proactive measures, Apple and Google are setting an example for other companies in the tech industry to follow.