Wouldn’t it be something if we could tell you that Apple and Google have decided to team up and allow Apple to support Google’s Rich Communication Services (RCS) in iOS. But alas, we cannot tell you this. What we can say is that Apple and Google are working together to fight back against unwanted location tracking. This is an issue that came about after Apple released its AirTags item trackers.
Apple’s Tracker Detect app will help an Android user find an AirTag being used to stalk him/her
Apple and Google are teaming up to take on the use of AirTags and other item trackers by stalkers
Dave Burke, Google’s vice president of Engineering for Android, also released a statement. “Bluetooth trackers have created tremendous user benefits, but they also bring the potential of unwanted tracking, which requires industrywide action to solve. Android has an unwavering commitment to protecting users, and will continue to develop strong safeguards and collaborate with the industry to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth tracking devices.”
Apple and Google hope to have a solution to fight against item tracker stalking by the end of this year
According to Apple, the draft specifications will go through a three-month review process. Following the comment period, Apple and Google will address feedback together and at the end of 2023 Apple and Google will release a product implementation of the specification for unwanted tracking alerts that will be supported by future versions of Android and iOS. The goal is for Apple and Google to come up with something that will stop bad actors from using item trackers to stalk unsuspecting iOS and Android users.