Google defends privacy features in Find My Device with automatic aggregation.

Tech & AI | July 9, 2024, 2:43 p.m.

Google has prioritized privacy with the Find My Device network, choosing "aggregation by default" which has led to some performance issues. The default setting only shares the location of an object when multiple Android devices detect it in high-traffic areas, leading to ineffective results in real-world scenarios. While Google defends this decision as a safety measure against unwanted tracking, users have found it to be a hindrance in locating their lost items. Despite acknowledging the limitations in low-traffic areas, Google encourages users to opt-in to a more effective setting. The company is working on enhancements to improve the network's speed and accuracy in locating lost items, citing the growing number of Android devices participating in the network. While the default setting may be impacting product usability, Google remains committed to improving the Find My Device network in the future.