On the Android Show before Google I/O, Google announced new security and privacy features for Android. These new features include new protections for calls, screen sharing, messages, device access and system-level permissions. With these features, Google’s goal is to protect users from scams, preventing devices from being stolen or taken over by attackers, keeping their details safe and enhancing device-level security for a variety of attacks.
Phone scammers often ask users to take actions such as tapping on unsafe links or downloading unknown applications. To protect users, Google blocked some actions and warned the user of potential scams when calling someone who is not on the contact list.
For Android 16, these operations include the first time sideloading of an app from a web browser, a messaging app or other un Google-verified source and granting accessibility licenses to the app so that the scammers can control the device. The company also prevents users running Android 6 or later from disabling Google Play Protect, which protects scanning devices for harmful applications while on calls.
Google also adds screen sharing protection by reminding users to stop sharing screens after the call is over.
The company is also testing a new warning screen with select banks in the UK to prevent fraud by screen sharing. When a user on a device running Android 11 or later opens the Partner Bank's app while sharing an unknown screen, the device displays a warning screen with a button to quickly end screen sharing.
Message protection
After launching the feature in March, Google is enhancing the protection of scams in Google Messages. This feature uses device AI to alert users of potential scams based on conversations. Now, the company enhances user security by using the tool to detect more types of fraud, including crypto cards, gift cards, toll roads, and other billing fees, financial imitation and technical support.
More importantly, the company is adding a verification key to the Google Contacts app, which will help users authenticate that the person on the other side is the expected receiver. Users can verify their contacts by scanning the QR code or matching numbers displayed on the screen.
The validation key means that the conversation you have with your contacts on Google Messages is end-to-end encrypted and ensured. Google says that if an attacker starts controlling phone numbers via SIM exchange attacks and sends you a message through a new device, the Google Contacts app will display an unverified verification status. Later this summer, the feature will be used for Google Messages, for users running Android 10 or later.
Theft protection measures
Earlier this year, Google introduced identity check protection to Pixel and Samsung devices using OneUI 7. This feature requires users to use biometric verification to change key settings, such as changing device PIN or biometrics, to enable theft protection or access to Passkeys when the user is not in a location where the user is not in a trusted location. The company is now offering this feature to other device manufacturers using Android 16.
Later this year, Google will add better protection for factory resets, limiting various features on the device that are reset without authorization from previous lock mode/PIN or Google account credentials. In essence, this makes it difficult to use devices.
To prevent someone from locking your device remotely, the company is adding a security challenge issue to prevent unauthorized access. With Android 16, the company will also hide a one-time password if the device is not connected to Wi-Fi and has not been unlocked recently.
Other protections
The company will also add new features to its Google Play Protection Real-Time Detection program, which plans to detect unsafe applications that have hidden or changed icons. This feature will be available to users running the Google Pixel 6+ in the next few months. The company said it is now applying a new set of device rules to capture more categories of malicious applications.
Google is adding new measures to strengthen its advanced protection mode to protect public figures with new device capabilities. The company will also debut the new Find My Hub to track items, friends and family.
See how to watch more live viewing and more information on Google I/O.