Summary of security features in Android 16 announced by Google, including expanded detection of fraudulent messages, prevention of sideloading of apps during calls, and strengthening of the Advanced Protection Program
Google announced 'new security and privacy features for Android' on May 13, 2025, ahead of the annual developer event '
Google Online Security Blog: What's New in Android Security and Privacy in 2025
https://security.googleblog.com/2025/05/whats-new-in-android-security-privacy-2025.html
How Android keeps you and your devices safe
https://blog.google/products/android/android-safety/
The main new features and improvements are as follows:
◆ Strengthening measures against telephone fraud
It will block dangerous operations during calls from unknown contacts. For example, it will prevent the disabling of Google Play Protect on devices running Android 6 or higher, and in Android 16, it will block dangerous operations such as sideloading apps and granting accessibility permissions to apps for the first time. In addition, a function will be added that automatically prompts you to stop screen sharing when the call ends.
Google announces smartphone AI feature that detects and warns about fraud during calls and chats - GIGAZINE
In addition, to protect banking apps, a trial feature will be implemented in the UK that displays a warning message and an end call button when opening a banking app while screen sharing with an unknown person. This will strengthen protection against cases where scammers impersonate banks or government agencies and instruct users to perform operations such as mobile banking transfers.
◆ Enhanced message protection
Google has announced that it will further expand the AI-based fraud detection feature in Google Messages that was introduced in March 2024. Specifically, the number of detection patterns has increased, and cryptocurrency scams, gift card scams, billing scams, and impersonation scams against financial institutions, etc. are now detected. This fraud detection feature works while protecting user privacy, and the content of the conversation is processed on the device by AI running locally, so users can always maintain their privacy.
In addition, a new feature called 'Key Verification' will be introduced to verify the identity of the person you are messaging with. This will allow users and the person you are messaging to verify each other's identity through a public encryption key. Specifically, this will allow you to scan a QR code or match numbers in
This key verification feature will also addressSIM swap attacks , where an attacker hijacks a friend's phone number and sends messages from another device. If a SIM swap attack occurs, the contact's verification status will be displayed as 'Not verified' in the Google Contacts app, indicating that the friend's account may have been compromised. This feature is scheduled to be implemented in Google Messages on Android 10 and above devices from summer 2025.
◆ Strengthening anti-theft measures
The ' ID Check ' feature, which was available on Google Pixel and Samsung devices, will now be available on other manufacturers' Android 16 devices. This ID Check feature protects access to sensitive data by using additional biometric authentication, even if the user's PIN or password is compromised.
Google will also introduce a feature that completely restricts the functionality of devices that have been reset without the owner's approval. This will significantly reduce the value of stolen devices, since even if they are reset to factory settings, they will be unusable without the previous screen lock pattern, PIN, or Google account credentials, Google said.
In addition, the remote lock function will also add security verification questions to strengthen the function of preventing unauthorized operations. This will protect the device from unauthorized remote lock operations, because even if a third party tries to remotely lock the device using the user's Google account, the operation will not be completed unless the security questions are answered.
In addition, Android 16 will also strengthen protection of one-time passwords. If the device is not connected to Wi-Fi and has not been unlocked for a while, the one-time password displayed on the lock screen will be hidden. This will reduce the risk of a third party seeing the one-time password sent to a stolen device.
◆ Strengthening the Advanced Protection Program
In particular, Google is
Android 16 will expand on previous account-level protection to add 'comprehensive security settings for the device itself,' allowing multiple security features that previously had to be set individually to be managed from a single control point. In addition, security settings can now be linked with apps such as Google Chrome and Google Messages, and will be compatible with third-party apps in the future.
Google also announced the introduction of 'Intrusion Logging,' an industry-first security feature that safely backs up device logs while protecting privacy and enables forensic analysis in the event of a suspected device compromise. In addition, the company has also included features to enhance device safety, such as 'automatic reboot after 72 hours of lockout to protect user data' and 'USB protection.'
Google also announced plans to expand Google Play Protect's real-time threat detection feature and introduce 'Find My Hub.'
Android's 'Find My Device' evolves into 'Search Hub' to enable searching for UWB-enabled tags - GIGAZINE
Related Posts:
