Google improves protection against secret Bluetooth tracking in Android

The fact that technology can be both a curse and a blessing is particularly clear in the case of tracking networks: malicious individuals can use them to prepare criminal schemes or stalk people, but in the right hands this protects property and helps to find it again. Google is now improving protection in Android against unwanted tracking.

In a blog post, Google's developers explain that they are integrating new functions into Android to prevent unwanted Bluetooth tracking. Android has had the function to warn of unknown trackers traveling nearby – since mid-2023. New functions are now available to respond to such warnings.

Unwanted Bluetooth tracking detected – and now what?

The information that someone is apparently trying to track you is already helpful. But only to a limited extent. Google is therefore retrofitting a function to temporarily pause the location updates. This should prevent the device location from being used by unknown detected tags for up to 24 hours. "This provides an additional layer of privacy and control that allows those affected to take initial quick action while tracking down and physically disabling the tag," Google's developers write.

If there is an alert for an unknown tracker, those affected can also use the "Find Nearby" function to track down the tag. Google explains: "Your Android device will guide you to the tag to help you find it if it's hidden". Google also wants to continue to improve the "Unknown Tracker" alerts, the company announces.

Around the middle of the year, Google also activated its own tracking network "Find my device" in Germany. This means that Google's localization service for devices and tags can now also be used in this country. Originally, the Find network was to be launched a year earlier, but was then postponed in order to address security concerns right from the start.

(dmk)