Proactive Location Tracking Alerts are Coming to Android

On May 13th, 2024, Apple and Google announced news of their furthered partnership to address unwanted location tracking. Users of Android devices 6.0 and above will soon be able to receive alerts if an item that allows for location tracking is moving with them but not paired with their phone. This means that if someone were to misuse a location-enabled device to monitor someone else’s movement and location without their consent or knowledge, then the person would get an alert that will allow for an opportunity to interrupt and stop the monitoring, if it’s safe for them to do so.

Stalking and the monitoring of location without consent are common tactics of abuse. Small Bluetooth tracking devices that are intended to help us find our lost and missing items can easily be misused as surveillance devices without proper safeguards in place. It’s critical that the companies behind these devices continue working together to identify ways to improve their design and implementation to minimize the possibilities for abuse. We are happy that Apple and Google have committed to a long-term partnership for this purpose, and we welcome this news.

The alerts will launch on Android devices 6.0+ and Apple 17.5. If you’re unsure of what version you have, go to the settings of your phone, look for “About Phone,” and look for the software version. If you have an older version, you won’t get alerts for possible tracking. If you are concerned about stalking, you can download a Bluetooth tracker detection app to scan your surroundings for a tracker. These aren’t always accurate, however, so it’s always important to trust your instincts. For more information on technology safety planning, see the resources in the Survivor Technology & Privacy Toolkit and check out our recent blog on The New Anti-Stalking Features of iOS 17.5.