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GooglePatent applicationSecurity & privacyInterest 8/10

Google patents phone feature to disable unknown trackers

Google describes a system where a phone detects a nearby tracking device, such as an AirTag, and checks if it belongs to the user. If the tracker is unknown, the phone sends its location to a server, which then sends a command to put the tracker into a mode that stops it from following the user.

Why it mattersThis could help people quickly find and disable stowaway trackers hidden in their cars or bags, adding a layer of protection against unwanted surveillance.

In the filing’s own words

A method comprising detecting, by a computing device, a tracking device in proximity to the computing device. The method further includes determining, by the computing device, whether the tracking device is known to the computing device. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the tracking device is unknown to the computing device, sending, by the 2024/263360 computing device and to a remote computing system, a location report that includes a location of the tracking device. The method further includes receiving, by the computing device and from the remote computing system, a command to cause the tracking device to operate in an unwanted tracking prevention mode. The method further includes causing, by the computing device, the tracking device to operate in the unwanted tracking prevention mode by at least sending the command to the tracking device.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method comprising: detecting, by a computing device, a tracking device in proximity to the computing device; determining, by the computing device, whether the tracking device is known to the computing device; responsive to determining that the tracking device is unknown to the computing device, sending, by the computing device and to a remote computing system, a location report that includes a location of the tracking device; receiving, by the computing device and from the remote computing system, a command to cause the tracking device to operate in an unwanted tracking prevention mode; and causing, by the computing device, the tracking device to operate in the unwanted tracking prevention mode by at least sending the command to the tracking device.

Facts

Company
Google (Google LLC)
Official title
PROTECTING USERS FROM UNWANTED TRACKING
Publication number
US20260313368A1
Application number
19482146
Filed
May 30, 2024
Published
Oct 8, 2026
Inventors
4
Claims
21

Classified under

H04W 12/02 Electricity & electronicsH04W 4/021 Electricity & electronicsH04W 4/029 Electricity & electronicsH04W 12/03 Electricity & electronicsH04W 12/63 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.