Android is making it easier to find unknown trackers to prevent stalking

Google is rolling retired 2 caller updates to its chartless tracker alerts diagnostic that should marque it easier for Android instrumentality owners to observe unfamiliar trackers, the company announced connected Wednesday. Introduced in July 2023, the information diagnostic automatically sends notifications if an unwanted Bluetooth tracker is traveling with you.

The archetypal update lets Android telephone owners temporarily halt sending determination updates to the Find My Device web if an chartless compatible tracker is detected. Google volition intermission these updates for up to 24 hours, truthful your determination volition nary longer beryllium disposable to whoever could beryllium monitoring your determination via the tag.

Second, anybody who receives an chartless tracker alert volition beryllium capable to find the unwanted Find My Device-compatible tracker utilizing the “Find Nearby” feature. Once you’ve recovered it, Google volition besides connection instructions for however to physically disable the tag.

Over the years, Bluetooth trackers person been progressively misused. Domestic abusers and stalkers have, for example, utilized it to support tabs connected victims, with one people enactment lawsuit claiming AirTag stalking had contributed to “multiple murders.” In response, Apple and Google person made assorted efforts to combat stalking, including an announcement earlier this twelvemonth indicating support for a caller manufacture specification, Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers, that works connected some iOS and Android.