• Android 15 is expected to introduce a Powered Off Finder API.
  • This API will enable compatible devices to be tracked even when switched off.
  • The feature is expected to be available on the Google Pixel 9 series, and the Pixel 8 series.
  • @PineRune@lemmy.world
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    674 months ago

    On one hand, this is great for lost or stolen phones. On the other hand (and rest of the body), this is horrible for privacy.

    • Hugucinogens
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      4 months ago

      The Dangerous Criminal (Poor) has always been used to justify asking people to give up their freedoms, in exchange for “safety”.

      And most of the time, the danger is close to made up. “Reality inspired”, if we were to be poetic about it. (Can’t say about this case, maybe your city is full of pickpockets unlike mine. But this API sure seems neither opt-in, nor like it’s going to be “limited to a select few models” going forward, to me…)

    • 🦄🦄🦄
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      4 months ago

      I have never had my phone stolen. My data on the other hand…

        • @PineRune@lemmy.world
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          54 months ago

          I didn’t think about that. It completely defeats the purpose of geolocation for theft prevention and recovery, and at very little cost and effort to the thief. The amount of effort and technological advancement for something so simple to make it obsolete is almost comical.

    • FaceDeer
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      44 months ago

      If it’s a problem for you then turn it off in settings.

      • @Makhno@lemmy.world
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        64 months ago

        The fact that it’s a feature at all implies that other, possibly nefarious actors, have the ability to track it too

    • @Eyck_of_denesle@lemmy.zip
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      34 months ago

      This is a great feature ngl. It may not be any use for majority users here but it’s a must have in my country for women. We already have government apps that track location if opted in but they only work as long as the phone isn’t switched off. Idk if it also requires a different hardware but if it was software only then it would be easy to install in existing phones.