Apple last year began work on a new “industry specification to address unwanted tracking” in partnership with Google after concerns about stalkers using item trackers like AirTags to track people. Now it looks like Apple is planning to launch these new anti-stalking features with iOS 17.5.
Filipe Espósito for 9to5Mac:
9to5Mac has found evidence of these new anti-stalking features in the internal code of iOS 17.5 beta, which was released to developers on Tuesday. Strings added to the Find My app reveal that iOS will identify tracking accessories, even when they’re not Apple or Find My certified, and help users disable them.
“This item isn’t certified on the Apple Find My network. You can disable this item and stop it from sharing its location with the owner. To do this, follow the instructions provided on a website by the manufacturer of this item,” reads one of the new strings.
The feature doesn’t seem to be enabled for beta users for now, but this is strong evidence that it may become available with the official release of iOS 17.5.
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MacDailyNews Note: Currently, iOS is already able to detect unwanted Bluetooth location-tracking devices, but only when they’re Find My certified. Apple offers “Tracker Detect” for Android settlers that allows them to scan to find AirTags and other item trackers.
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Understanding the safety aspect of the anti-stalking aspect, how does this help with stolen items with a tag if the criminal can simply turn off the tag without having to find and smash it?
I’m much more worried about my government and it’s political party that use government and judicial power to attack and suppress and their opposition while gaslighting a whole generation into virtue signaling mental illness.