Google is rolling out a massive update for its Find My Device app, which adds Bluetooth-based crowdsourced tracking for Android devices and tags from multiple manufacturers.
Find My Device is an app developed by Google that allows Android users to locate their lost or stolen devices and even wipe all data remotely. Previously, it primarily relied on the device’s GPS and internet connection data to provide real-time location tracking, which severely limited its usefulness.
Dave Kleidermacher, VP of Engineering at Android, emphasized the design decisions they took in order to implement crowdsourced tracking while respecting users’ privacy and upholding high security standards. These decisions were taken through extensive user research and consultations with privacy groups.
The three main pillars that guarantee the robustness of the new system are the following:
- Data Safeguards: These include end-to-end encryption of location data, ensuring that only the Bluetooth tag’s owner and their trusted contacts can access its location. Google cannot decrypt or see this data, maintaining user privacy and security.
- Safety-first Protections: The network incorporates unique measures like aggregation by default, requiring multiple devices to detect a tag before revealing its location to prevent unwanted tracking. Additional safeguards include at-home protection, rate limiting, and compliance with industry standards for preventing unauthorized tracking.
- User Controls: Android users have complete autonomy over their participation in the network, with options ranging from default aggregated location reporting to opting out entirely. They can also secure or erase data on lost devices.
The above protections, especially end-to-end encryption of location data and rate throttling, work in tandem to mitigate the risks of unwanted tracking/stalking, which is a persistent problem that Apple has been trying to address with its own AirTags. One of the features dedicated to stopping this type of abuse is unknown tracker alerts, to notify individuals that they are likely being tracked without knowing, allowing them to take action. This new system will be compliant for both Android and iOS users.
Google and Apple have been working together to develop effective protections against unauthorized tracking for a long time now, and last year, they submitted a comprehensive proposal for an industry specification that prevents the misuse of Bluetooth-enabled location trackers.
Android users are recommended to read this post by Google that presents five new ways to take advantage of the new Find My Device, get accustomed to the powerful features of the new tracking network, and change the privacy and security settings on their devices as needed.