Apple and Google have announced they have jointly submitted an industry specification to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth location-tracking devices for unwanted tracking in a first-of-its-kind collaboration to safeguard the misuse of location-tracking devices.

The ground-breaking specification will make Bluetooth location-tracking devices compatible with unauthorized tracking detection and alerts on iOS and Android platforms.

Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, eufy Security, and Pebblebee have all expressed support for the draft specification, which provides manufacturers with best practices and instructions, IANS reported from San Francisco.

“Apple launched AirTag to give users peace of mind in knowing where to find their most important items,” Ron Huang, Apple’s vice president of Sensing and Connectivity, explained.

“This new industry specification builds on the AirTag protections and results in a critical step forward to help combat unwanted tracking across iOS and Android,” Huang added.

The specification has been submitted for review and comment over the next three months through the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), a leading standards development organization.

“Bluetooth trackers have created tremendous user benefits, but they also bring the potential for unwanted tracking, which requires industry-wide action to resolve,” said Dave Burke, Google’s vice president of Android Engineering.

“Android has an unwavering commitment to protecting users, and we will continue to develop strong safeguards and collaborate with the industry to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth tracking devices,” he added.