New Google Android’s Safety Alert System Will Help Users Track Trackers

Google introduced its latest Android tracker alert safety feature, Find Nearby, for users to identify and locate hidden tracking devices, according to a blog post.

The new Android tracker alert focuses on devices that support Google’s Find My Device service, made for locating lost hardware to improve users’ privacy through this Google tracking app for Android.

Locating Hidden Trackers

The Find NearbyAndroid Google location tracking feature simplifies spotting unknown trackers moving with Android devices. Once Android phones detect an unfamiliar tracker, it will immediately trigger an alarm, alongside the Play Sound feature, where user can hear the tracker’s sound to help identify its location.

But there are some cases where the tracker is hidden beneath layers or its speaker has been regulated, identifying its location can become triggering.

So, the Find Nearby feature comes into play, opening a map on phones and guides users toward the hidden tracker. As users become closer to the tracker, the map will show a progress bar, filling up as they get closer. The system provides a message/text update on the status. Finally, when users are close to the device, they tap the Play Sound feature to help locate it.

New Face of Privacy Features

For extra precaution in such scenarios, Google gave the freedom for users to disable their mobile’s location sharing for the Find My Device, Google Android mobile tracker.  

According to Google “this temporary pause will prevent your device’s location from being used by a detected unknown tag for up to 24 hours.” 

Besides location tracking, the Android tracker alert system displays information about the device, like its unique identifier, the owner’s hidden email address, the last four digits of the owner’s phone number.

Google suggests that if users happen to find a tracker, they should do it in a safe place and notify the police immediately, as well as taking proof and screenshots of any relevant information.

To add an extra line of defense, users can manually scan for hidden devices by going to Settings > Safety & Emergency > Unknown Tracker Alerts > Scan Now.

The new Google Android device tracker is an extension of Google’s prior work in trying to eliminate unwanted tracking, after Apple released the Tracker Detect app for finding Air Tags in 2021.

With the Android tracker alert and new features, Google’s automatic tracker detection system to offer a more general approach to user safety.

With the Google Android location tracker update, Google is changing the experience for Android users to safeguard their privacy and ensure they are not unknowingly observed.

Inside Telecom provides you with an extensive list of content covering all aspects of the tech industry. Keep an eye on our Tech sections to stay informed and up-to-date with our daily articles.