During The Android Show: I/O Edition held on Tuesday, Google unveiled a suite of new security and privacy features set to launch later this year. These enhancements aim to shield users from scams, fraud, and theft while using Android devices. The newly introduced protections include additional security measures during phone calls, improved privacy safeguards during screen sharing, and enhanced Factory Reset protections to ensure devices cannot be reset without explicit user consent.
Enhanced Security and Privacy Features in Android
In an official announcement, the tech giant from Mountain View detailed the forthcoming security and privacy improvements for Android users. A significant area of focus this year has been the prevention of phone scams.
According to research conducted by the company, phone scammers often employ tactics designed to manipulate users into making harmful changes to their devices, such as altering default security settings or granting excessive permissions to applications. Google stated, “To combat phone scammers, we’re working to block specific actions and warn you of these sophisticated attempts.”
These protective measures operate entirely on-device and are activated during phone calls with individuals who are not in the user’s contact list. Among the features implemented are restrictions that prevent users from disabling Google Play Protect, inhibit the initial sideloading of apps from web browsers, and prohibit granting accessibility permissions to newly installed applications.
Additionally, Android will automatically prompt users to cease screen sharing at the conclusion of a call. The system will issue alerts if users are screen sharing while accessing banking applications. In cases where screen sharing occurs with a non-contact, users will receive a warning about potential scam risks and will have the option to swiftly end the call and terminate screen sharing.
Earlier this year, Google introduced AI-powered Scam Detection in its Messages and Phone applications, primarily targeting package delivery and job-seeking scams. The company is now enhancing this feature to provide broader protection against various scams, including those involving billing fees, cryptocurrency, financial impersonation, gift cards, and technical support.
Key Verifier in Android
Photo Credit: Google
Moreover, Google is set to introduce a new feature called Key Verifier, which enables users to confirm the identity of their messaging partners using public encryption keys. These contact keys can be verified via the Google Contacts app and will be available later this year for devices running Android 10 and later.
With the upcoming Android 16, additional layers of security will reinforce Factory Reset protections. Users will also gain expanded control over the Remote Lock feature, enhanced by the introduction of a new security challenge question designed to thwart unauthorized actions.
Lastly, Android 16 aims to combat one-time password (OTP) theft by implementing a feature that prevents OTPs from appearing on the lock screen during “higher risk scenarios,” such as when the device is not connected to Wi-Fi or has not been recently unlocked.
