Google rolls out a safety feature for Android devices.
Google is revamping their security measures for Android devices to make them less appealing to thieves. Their plan involves implementing new features with the help of AI to counter theft attempts and making it difficult for criminals to use or sell stolen phones.
In the future, Android-powered smartphones could detect when a thief steals their device and locks the screen as a response. This means that even if a thief manages to grab the phone from its owner's hand and flee, they won't be able to access the data on the phone. Google showcased this feature during their I/O developer conference in Mountain View. This innovation comes after various incidents where thieves stole smartphones, used them right after the crime, and damaged their victims further by accessing their online bank accounts. Google's new screen lock feature will prevent that from happening in the future.
Google is also making it harder for criminals to reactivate stolen phones. If a thief resets the stolen device, they won't be able to use it without knowing the necessary Google account data. According to Google, this will render the stolen device unusable, which decreases the motivation for phone theft.
Increased Protection Against Theft
Similarly to Apple, who expanded their anti-theft protection for the iPhone with the iOS 17.3 operating system in January, Google is now following suit. If a thief tries to change the lock code, Google's systems can detect that the attempt is made from an untrusted location like work or home, and require biometric authentication to confirm the change.
Android is also introducing a new feature that allows users to create a separate and secure storage area on their devices. Users can hide this area, lock it with a separate PIN, and store sensitive information such as health or financial data in it. This will provide an additional layer of protection for these apps.
The majority of these new anti-theft features will be enabled through Google Play services, and they will work on Android 10 phones and newer. Some, like privacy settings and private storage, will require Android 15, which is scheduled for release this year. Android 10 was introduced in 2019.
By implementing these updated security measures, Google aims to make their devices less appealing targets for thieves. They hope that this will reduce the number of instances wherein thieves steal phones and misuse them to cause more harm to their victims.
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The new Android safety feature can alert users if their cell phone is stolen and lock it, preventing thieves from accessing Android apps or personal data. With Google's plan, Android users can now add an extra layer of protection by creating a secure storage area on their devices, requiring a separate PIN and hiding sensitive apps from criminals trying to reactivate stolen phones.
Source: www.ntv.de
