Google AirTag Stalker Detection is coming - here's your first look

Google AirTag Stalker Detection is coming - here's your first look

Earlier this year, Google and Apple announced a partnership to tackle the AirTag stalking problem. While there is no word yet on when this important feature will make its way to Android, details on how the system will work have emerged online.

Researcher Mishaal Rahman tweeted screenshots of what appears to be Android's tracker detection feature obtained from AssembleDebug. In these screenshots, you can see an overview of the interface of the detection feature and some of the things it should be able to do when it rolls out in the near future.

From the looks of it, it appears that users will be able to turn on and off unknown tracker alerts. With this feature turned on, you will receive an alert if an unknown tracker is detected tracking you, but it is not clear how long it takes for the system to notice that a tracker appears to be tracking you. The alert itself will be available for 48 hours, after which it will be removed.

Naturally, you must allow the system access to Bluetooth and location information. Without this, the system is useless.

When a rogue tracker is detected, Google's app provides information to help you figure out what to do next: first, the option to have the tracker play a sound, without alerting the owner in the process, i.e., finding and stopping the rogue tracker; second, the option to have the tracker play a sound, without alerting the owner in the process, i.e., finding and stopping the rogue tracker; and third, the option to have the tracker play a sound, without alerting the owner in the process. The first is the option to have the tracker play a sound, without alerting the owner in the process, i.e., finding and stopping the rogue tracker.

The app also features basic information on what to do, including contacting local police, recording the tracker's serial number, and advice on how to disable the rogue tracker. Because alerts are deleted after 48 hours, the app also suggests screenshotting everything for posterity.

Manual scanning also seems to be an option, in case you want to be vigilant or need to help track down a lost tracker for a friend. These results are not saved and will let you know which trackers are nearby. This page records all trackers nearby and specifically records trackers you have been alerted to in the past

The location of all these tracker detection screens is not clear in the screenshots, from what I heard at Google I/O in May, This tracker detection software appears to be part of Google's revamped "Find My Device" service. Similar to Apple's "Find My network," this new system will allow users to track cell phones, tablets, and other compatible electronic devices such as headphones.

Importantly, Google's app can also sniff out rogue Bluetooth trackers, whether made by Apple or others. After all, there are plenty of options out there.

No word yet on when the new "Find My Device" network will launch or what kind of device rollout we can expect from Google. The fact that screenshots of the tracker detection system have already been released suggests that it is not too far off; we would expect it to be deployed in conjunction with the launch of Android 14, but ideally it would not be exclusive to the new OS.

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