Google has announced new security features for Android to protect against scams and theft. These include enhanced protections for calls, screen sharing, and messages, as well as improved theft-protection measures.
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Google has announced a series of new security and privacy features for its Android operating system. These updates aim to enhance user protection against scams, theft, and unauthorized access. The announcement was made during the Android Show, preceding the Google I/O event.
The new security measures include protections for calls, screen sharing, messages, device access, and system-level permissions. These features are designed to help users avoid scams, secure their data in case of device theft or unauthorized access, and improve overall device security.
Phone scams often involve urging users to click on unsafe links or download unverified apps. To combat this, Google is implementing measures to block certain actions and alert users to potential scams, particularly when receiving calls from unknown numbers.
For Android 16, Google is implementing restrictions on side-loading apps from unverified sources, such as web browsers or messaging apps, and granting accessibility permissions to apps. The company is also ensuring that users running Android 6 or later cannot disable Google Play Protect, which scans devices for harmful applications.
Another security measure includes screen-sharing protection, which prompts users to stop sharing their screens after a call concludes. Additionally, a new warning screen is being tested with select banks in the U.K. to prevent fraud during screen-sharing. If a user opens a partner bank’s app while sharing their screen with an unknown number, the device will display a warning and provide an option to end the screen-sharing.
Google is enhancing its protection against scams in Google Messages. The feature, which was launched in March, uses on-device AI to alert users of potential scams based on conversation content. The tool will now detect more types of fraud, including those related to crypto, gift cards, toll roads, billing fees, financial impersonation, and technical support.
Additionally, Google is introducing verification keys in the Google Contacts app. This feature will enable users to authenticate their contacts by scanning a QR code or matching numbers displayed on the screen. Verified keys ensure that conversations on Google Messages are end-to-end encrypted. If an attacker compromises a phone number through a SIM swap attack, the Google Contacts app will indicate an unverified status. This feature will be available for Google Messages later this summer for users with Android 10 or later.
Earlier this year, Google introduced Identity Check protection for Pixel and Samsung devices with OneUI 7. This feature requires biometric authentication for changing critical settings, such as device PIN or biometrics, disabling theft protection, or accessing Passkeys. Google is now extending this feature to other device manufacturers with Android 16.
Later this year, Google plans to improve protection for Factory Reset, limiting functions on devices reset without the previous lock pattern/PIN or Google account credentials. This measure aims to make stolen devices difficult to use. To prevent unauthorized remote locking, Google is adding a security challenge question. Android 16 will also hide one-time passwords if the device is not connected to Wi-Fi and hasn't been recently unlocked.
Google is enhancing its Google Play Protect live detection program to identify unsafe apps with hidden or altered icons. This feature will be available in the coming months for users with Google Pixel 6 and newer devices. Google is also applying new on-device rules to detect more categories of malicious apps.
Further, Google is strengthening its Advanced Protection Mode with new on-device features to protect public figures. A new Find My Hub is also being introduced to help users keep track of items, friends, and family.
These security updates reflect Google's ongoing efforts to enhance user protection and privacy across its Android platform.
Google has announced new device-specific features for its Advanced Protection program with the Android 16 release. These updates aim to enhance security for public figures by introducing features like intrusion logging, USB protection, and prevention of automatic reconnection to unsecured Wi-Fi networks.