Apple has begun to rollout the update version of iOS 17.5 to its global iPhone users and this update brings with itself a jointly developed specification “Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers”. This specification has been developed by Apple and Google together to prevent their users from being tracked unknowingly by Bluetooth tracking devices. There has always been some concern with these Bluetooth tracking devices of stalking and this step does bring a sigh of relief for users.
As per the statement released by Apple on its website “With this new capability, users will now get an “[Item] Found Moving With You” alert on their device if an unknown Bluetooth tracking device is seen moving with them over time, regardless of the platform the device is paired with”. Apple says if such an alert is received by an iOS device user it means someone’s else AirTag is moving with them or another industry specification-compatible Bluetooth tracker is moving with them. As said Apple has already begun to rollout this new capability with the update, and Google will roll out it on Android 6 and newer versions. As per the statement, other Bluetooth tag manufacturers Chipolo, eufy, Jio, Motorola, and Pebblebee have also promised to bring compatible tags in the future.
