e/OS Exodus identifying AltBeacon as 'Tracker'

[crowdip]

Hi,
I have just installed the full version of Home assistant on my e/OS Android phone:

e Foundation - deGoogled unGoogled smartphone operating systems and online...

I have the Exodus app identifying ‘AltBeacon’ as a tracker.

Report for io.homeassistant.companion.android 2024.12.1-full

Being mindful of privacy, can I ask the purpose behind AltBeacon being included in the Home Assistant app, what functionality does it provide, and what/who does it interact/communicate with.
I presume it has many uses, but some examples of what hardware is the Beacon, and what is the receiver, would be helpful.

Is AltBeacon an open source alternative to something like 'iBeacon ??

Thoughts appreciated.

[dshokouhi]

@crowdip

can I ask the purpose behind AltBeacon being included in the Home Assistant app

its an open source library that lets the app transmit a beacon and also monitor them to report back for automation purposes.

https://companion.home-assistant.io/docs/core/sensors#bluetooth-sensors

@crowdip

and what/who does it interact/communicate with.

you and your server

[crowdip]

Thanks, so your phone and App become a transmitter, but the App and phone also see ‘other transmitters’, and ‘other transmitters’ can be inside and outside your LAN ? ie where ever they are placed.

Are the Other Transmitters the BLE enabled devices.

BLE devices are designed for lightweight communication, similar to a zigbee device (without the Meshing).

[dshokouhi]

@crowdip

App become a transmitter,

only if you enable the transmitter or monitor sensors

@crowdip

can be inside and outside your LAN

what does LAN have to do with bluetooth? The only relation there is the ability for the app to send data back home.

[crowdip]

@dshokouhi

only if you enable the transmitter or monitor sensors

Is the transmitter enabled within the companion app by default, or does it need to be enabled.

@dshokouhi

The only relation there is the ability for the app to send data back home.

So the transmitter and receiver together are strictly confined to the BLE protocol, which has no ‘phone home’ capabiliities, unless one has the app behind it ?

[dshokouhi]

@crowdip

Is the transmitter enabled within the companion app by default, or does it need to be enabled.

not by default, have yuo explored the app at all or read the linked page? That wouldve been explained already

@crowdip

which has no ‘phone home’ capabiliities, unless one has the app behind it ?

what do you mean phone home? your server is the phone home. i think you may not understand the report you read

[crowdip]

Thanks, I have just downloaded the app and am taking a look around, thanks.

Is AltBeacon an open source alternative to other similar protocols.

I will ask on the e/OS forum, my concern is Privacy and the AltBeacon being identified as a Tracker.with Exodus-privacy.org

[dshokouhi]

@crowdip

Is AltBeacon an open source alternative to other similar protocols.

yes for beacons, are you unfamiliar with what a beacon is? This is just a library the app uses to identify and transmit.

@crowdip

my concern is Privacy and the AltBeacon being identified as a Tracker.

a beacon is a tracker so its not wrong, think of it like an airtag or others just not a physical device just code to emulate it. Not sure what your concern is here the app does not send data to anywhere else but your own server. if you dont like it simply dont use the feature.