Android's Find My Device upgrade: How it works and why it's so controversial

Android’s Find My Device upgrade: How it works and why it’s so controversial

As Google builds a tracking network based on billions of Android devices, privacy concerns naturally arise. To address these concerns, Google emphasizes that it has taken the necessary time to prioritize privacy. Similar to Apple’s Find My network, location information on the new Find My Device network is encrypted, ensuring that neither Google nor any other party can determine the precise location of a user’s devices.

The noteworthy aspect of this update is the introduction of ‘Unknown tracker alerts’ on Android, which was made possible through a collaboration between Google and Apple. Android phones will now notify users if an unrecognized tracking tag is moving with them, enabling them to locate and address the situation. Importantly, these alerts will function across all phones, including iPhones, due to the new standard agreed upon by Google and Apple.