Khaberni - Google announced a detailed update to the Android protection systems against theft, which includes a set of tools and advanced settings aimed at crippling the thieves' ability to access or exploit data from stolen smartphones.
According to the company’s official security blog, these updates are based on enhancing the current protection systems of Android, adding stronger defenses and more flexible control options for users.
This update comes at a time when smartphones have become a repository for the most sensitive data, from banking apps to personal photos. Google has warned that loss of the device could lead to risks of financial fraud and identity theft. To counter this, the company designed several proactive security features that operate before, during, and after the theft.
The enhanced failed authentication lock forms the core of this update. Although this feature was part of Android 15, it is now available with its own on/off option in Android 16 settings, allowing the phone to lock automatically as soon as repeated incorrect PIN or biometric data entries are detected, cutting off random guessing attempts without compromising the overall security experience.
On the app protection front, Google confirmed the enhancement of biometric data security at the platform level. The "identity verification" feature has been expanded to include all apps and services that use the "biometric prompt" feature, including external banking services apps and password management software. Under this update, even if a thief somehow bypasses the lock screen, they will face an additional biometric barrier before accessing sensitive apps.
As for the recovery of lost devices, the company introduced significant improvements to the remote lock feature, which allows a user to lock their phone via a web browser by entering a confirmed phone number. To enhance security, the company added an optional security challenge to ensure that only the legitimate owner can activate this process, preventing any misuse.
In a significant move that reflects the company's response to regional challenges, Google announced the activation of the "theft detection lock" and "remote lock" features by default on new Android devices in Brazil, due to high theft rates. The "theft detection lock" feature relies on the device's built-in artificial intelligence to detect sudden movements that indicate a quick theft, automatically locking the screen to prevent immediate access to data.
Google concluded its security report by noting that these updates serve as a first line of defense to prevent the theft of a phone from turning into a larger crisis involving the takeover of bank accounts and users' digital privacy.
