How we built the new Find My Device network with user security and privacy in mind

Kagi generated key points:

• The new Find My Device network on Android was designed with a strong focus on user security and privacy.
• The network uses a crowdsourced approach to locate lost or misplaced devices and belongings, even when they are offline.
• The location data reported by participating Android devices is end-to-end encrypted, ensuring Google cannot access or use the location information.
• The network has "aggregation by default" as a safety feature, requiring multiple nearby devices to detect a Bluetooth tag before reporting its location to the owner.
• The network also has protections to avoid contributing location reports when near the user's home address.
• Rate limiting and throttling are used to prevent malicious real-time tracking, while still allowing the network to be useful for finding lost items.
• The network is compliant with industry standards for unwanted tracking, triggering alerts on both Android and iOS devices.
• Users have full control over which of their devices participate in the network and how.
• The network design has undergone internal security testing and is part of Android's vulnerability rewards program.
• Prioritizing user safety and privacy is an ongoing commitment as the team continues to improve the Find My Device protections.