Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

admin
Pinned April 16, 2022

<> Embed

@  Email

Report

Uploaded by user
Android may get its own built-in Bluetooth tracker detection
<> Embed @  Email Report

Android may get its own built-in Bluetooth tracker detection

Android may get its own built-in Bluetooth tracker detection

A new APK indicates Google is at least looking into OS-level detection for errant AirTags and Tile trackers.

Kris Holt
K. Holt
March 30th, 2022
Android may get its own built-in Bluetooth tracker detection | DeviceDaily.com
James D. Morgan via Getty Images

Google may be set to integrate Bluetooth tracker detection into Android. With devices like Tile trackers and Apple AirTags becoming more popular, there have been instances of bad actors planting one on someone else and using it to follow their movements.

Apple released the AirTag last April and since then, it has rolled out several more ways to detect them. It has updated the device to play a sound within 24 hours of being separated from its owner, while an iPhone will notify a user if it detects an unwanted AirTag. In December, Apple released an Android app that can scan for AirTags. Tile this month updated its iOS and Android apps with a similar feature.

However, there are some issues with current detection methods on Android. Users would both need to be aware of the fact that Bluetooth trackers can be misused and have apps that can detect them installed on their device. The Apple and Tile apps also require users to scan for trackers manually, a process that can take around 10 minutes.

According to 9to5Google, the Android team has started work on a tracker detection feature in Play services. The most recent APK code includes references to Tile trackers and “ATag” (probably AirTags) and hints that Android users may be able to ring detected devices.

The feature is said to be in early development and it’ll likely be some time before Google releases it publicly (if at all). Having automatic detection built into the OS, or even a manual scanner with a warning to all users about the potential for stalking, would surely help protect users from being tracked. Hopefully, we’ll learn more about Google’s tracker detection plans at I/O in May.

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

(31)