Apple’s Privacy Pup and Google’s Counter‑Pup
When Apple quietly tweaked its AirTags to curb the creepy stalking hype, the tech world got a little alarmed. But now, Google’s Android team is rolling out a new safety net to keep those Bluetooth trackers at bay.
What the Buzz Is All About
- Apple’s tweak: Updated AirTags to make them less “honey‑comba” for would‑be stalkers.
- Google’s move: A secret feature buried deep in Android’s code that spots rogue Bluetooth tags.
- Third‑party beat: Tile and other trackers get flagged in the new alerts.
Inside the Code
According to a recent leak from 9to5Google’s APK Insight analysis, a handful of lines in the Android source refer to Tile, AirTags, and a slew of sneaky tag alerts. The program can even say “unfamiliar tag detected!” when a mysterious device comes near.
It’s still in early development, so don’t expect a shiny rollout any time soon. Android insiders say it will surface once the system is ready to go to court.
Apple’s Android App to the Rescue
Apple didn’t stop at the AirTags update. The company also released an Android app that triggers alarms whenever a foreign tracker is detected. It’s a neat solution for Android users who want the same safety net as iPhone owners.
TL;DR
- Apple updated AirTags to block stalkers.
- Google is quietly building a tracker‑detection plug‑in for Android.
- New Android app by Apple warns about unknown trackers.
Turn up the hype: the next time you feel a cold breeze from a mysterious tag, you’ll know whether you’re in a privacy safe zone or not. And who knows? Android might finally catch up to Apple’s “stay‑away” law of the land.
