New Android Security & Privacy Features Announced
At the Android Show on Tuesday, ahead of Google I/O, Google introduced new security and privacy features for Android devices.
These updates enhance protections for calls, screen sharing, messages, device access, and system-level permissions.
The goal: protect users from scams, prevent unauthorized access, and strengthen device-level security.
Call Protection
Phone scammers often ask users to click unsafe links or install unknown apps.
Google is now blocking certain actions and displaying warnings during calls with people not in a user’s contact list.
In Android 16, actions like:
• Side-loading apps from unverified sources (browsers, messaging apps)
• Granting accessibility permissions
will be restricted during suspicious calls.
Also, users running Android 6+ can no longer disable Google Play Protect while on a call.
Screen Sharing Protection
Google will now remind users to stop screen sharing after a call ends.
A test program in the UK with selected banks will show a warning if a user opens their banking app while sharing their screen with someone unknown.
This warning will appear on Android 11+ devices and allow users to end the screen share immediately.
Messages Protection
In Google Messages, scam protection (introduced in March) uses on-device AI to detect fraudulent conversations.
Now, it’s expanding to detect new scam types such as:
• Cryptocurrency and gift card scams
• Toll road/billing fraud
• Financial impersonation
• Tech support scams
Google is also adding verification keys to the Google Contacts app.
Users can verify their contacts by scanning a QR code or matching numbers on their screens.
This ensures messages are end-to-end encrypted. If a SIM swap occurs and the attacker takes over the phone number, the app will show the contact as “unverified.”
This feature will roll out later this summer for Android 10+.
Theft Protection Enhancements
Identity Check is now expanding beyond Pixel and Samsung (OneUI 7) devices to more Android 16 devices.
It requires biometric authentication to:
• Change PIN or biometrics
• Disable theft protection
• Access Passkeys outside of trusted locations
Later this year, a more secure Factory Reset Protection will be added.
This ensures the device can’t be reset or reused without the original credentials.
Additionally, to prevent unauthorized locking, a security challenge question is being introduced.
One-time passwords will also be hidden if the phone is offline and not recently