May 14, 2024 at 01:33AM
Apple and Google have jointly launched a new feature, “Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers” (DULT), to notify users if a Bluetooth tracking device is being used without their knowledge. This move addresses privacy and safety concerns, particularly due to reports of such devices being misused for nefarious purposes. Additionally, Apple has released patches for security vulnerabilities in their operating systems.
Key takeaways from the meeting notes:
1. Apple and Google have announced a new feature, “Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers” (DULT), which notifies users if a Bluetooth tracking device is being used to track them without consent. This addresses potential risks to user privacy and safety and is available in Android devices running versions 6.0 and later, and iOS devices with iOS 17.5.
2. The cross-platform collaboration aims to offer instructions and best practices for manufacturers to build unwanted tracking alert capabilities into their products.
3. The development of DULT comes in response to reports of misuse of trackers like AirTags for malicious or criminal purposes, including domestic abuse. A class-action lawsuit was filed against Apple in 2023 alleging misuse of AirTags.
4. Apple backported a fix for a security flaw in the RTKit real-time operating system (CVE-2024-23296) to devices running older versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. The vulnerability allows attackers with kernel read and write capability to bypass kernel memory protections.
5. The iOS 17.5 update remediates a total of 15 security vulnerabilities, including flaws in AppleAVD and the kernel that could be exploited to cause unexpected app termination or arbitrary code execution.
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