Apple iOS 17.5: Cross-Platform Tracking Protection Tackles Bluetooth Tracker Misuse

 By Nadim Kahwaji


Apple has released updates for all supported devices, including iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, macOS 14.5, watchOS 10.5, tvOS 17.5, and HomePod Software 17.5, introducing several new features and enhancements. These updates are now available for download. The updates include:

SecurityUpdates: Each update includes a variety of security patches to enhance device protection.

Cross-Platform Tracking Protection: This feature alerts users if a Bluetooth tracker they do not own is moving with them, applicable across different operating systems. It extends the anti-stalking protections previously available for AirTags to other Bluetooth devices paired with non-Apple phones.

Apple News+ Enhancements: Subscribers to Apple News+ can now enjoy a new word game called Quartiles. Other games like Crossword and Mini Crossword now track player stats and win streaks. Additionally, the Today+ and News+ tabs can now load without an internet connection.

These updates are expected to be the last major releases to include non-security updates and new features before Apple introduces iOS 18 at WWDC 2024 on June 10.

The highly anticipated feature is Cross-Platform Tracking Protection, which addresses the long-standing issue of misuse with Apple AirTags and other Bluetooth tracking devices. To understand its importance, let's first look at how Apple AirTags work.



Apple AirTags help users locate lost items by leveraging the Find My network, which consists of numerous Apple devices. AirTags emit a continuous Bluetooth signal that nearby Apple devices can detect. These devices then anonymously send the AirTag's location to Apple’s servers, which is encrypted and accessible only to the owner via the Find My app. Location updates occur silently in the background, enabling the owner to track the AirTag without notifying the device's user.

When an AirTag is marked as lost in the Find My app, the owner can add a custom message and contact information. Any NFC-capable device (iPhone or Android) can tap the AirTag to view these details. Users do not receive automatic notifications about nearby lost AirTags; they must physically find and scan the AirTag using NFC.

AirTags also play a sound after being separated from their owner for a prolonged period, which helps locate them. The owner can trigger the sound via the Find My app if the AirTag is nearby but out of sight. If an iPhone detects an unknown AirTag moving with it for some time, the user will receive a notification and can play a sound on the AirTag to locate it.

Location data is encrypted end-to-end, ensuring only the owner can access it. iPhone users receive alerts if an unfamiliar AirTag is detected moving with them. Before the current update Android users can use the Apple Tracker Detect app to scan for AirTags and view the owner's contact information using NFC.

With the Cross-Platform Tracking Protection feature, Apple addresses the long-standing issue of stalking through the misuse of AirTags and other Bluetooth tracking devices. The recent update introduces the Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers (DULT) standard in iOS 17.5, while Google implements it in Android 6.0 and higher devices.

This new standard ensures users will receive a notification alert on their device that reads "[Item] Found Moving With You" if an unknown Bluetooth tracking device is detected moving with them over time, regardless of the platform the device is paired with. This makes tracking device detection platform-agnostic.

The new standard primarily affects new Bluetooth trackers that are designed to be compatible with DULT. Older Bluetooth trackers that do not adhere to the new standard may not trigger the same alerts or protections. However, manufacturers of existing Bluetooth trackers are encouraged to update their devices to comply with the new standard, ensuring broader protection against unauthorized tracking.

If implemented correctly, this new standard will make stalking using Bluetooth tracking devices much harder to accomplish.

Apple's latest updates bring significant security enhancements and new features, with Cross-Platform Tracking Protection being a highly anticipated addition. This feature helps mitigate the misuse of Bluetooth tracking devices by providing users with alerts across different platforms, ensuring a safer environment for everyone. As the new standard is adopted, both iOS and Android users will benefit from improved privacy and security measures. However, it's important to note that the full effectiveness of this feature depends on the adoption and compatibility of Bluetooth trackers with the new standard. If implemented correctly, stalking using Bluetooth tracking devices will be much harder to accomplish. Even with older devices, Apple and Google still offer defenses against stalking, though they are less efficient than the new standard.

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