Google brings 15 AI-powered tools to Android to protect device data in case of theft

May 16. (Portaltic/EP) –

Google has announced a series of functionalities driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) that it will integrate into the system Android 15 operating system, with which it seeks to protect user information before, during and after the theft of their devices, in addition to improving the user experience.

The company has shared the news of its mobile operating system within the framework of the Google I/O annual developer eventwhich is being held this week in California (United States), where it has already unveiled new AI tools and language models with greater capacity.

On the second day of the meeting, the firm has shared new solutions for its Android 15 operating system -whose beta 2 is now available for developers – who are looking protect user information to help them “stay safe and get the most out of the ecosystem” of their devices.

Specifically, it has revealed three ways in which the new Android features can keep confidential data, files or documents stored safe “before, during and after a theft”, as specified in a release.

First, it has advanced enhanced device and data protection to deter theft before it happens, so that “thieves will think twice before trying,” with features such as factory reset update.

This way, if a thief forces a stolen device to reset, they won’t be able to set it up again without knowing details like Google account credentials. This way, he will not be able to resell it to other users.

He has also commented on the incorporation of the so-called private space, a feature that allows you to create a separate area of ​​the device, which in turn can be hidden and locked with an individual PIN number.

It has also indicated that disabling the ‘Find my device’ function now also requires a PIN, a password or biometric authentication, as well as if you want to modify settings such as screen timeout.

On the other hand, he has said that when the new improved authentication For Android, fingerprint or face scanning will be required to access and change critical Google Account and device settings.

Other new features that Android 15 will incorporate are related to its design, since this version of the operating system includes functions that help improve the user experience, with more fluid transitions and a “more useful” interface.

Thus, it offers improvements when making multitasking on big screen devices. In this way, users can pin the taskbar to the screen to quickly switch between applications or store their combinations of favorite ‘apps’ in split screen for quicker access.

The firm has also strengthened screen sharing controls in Android 15 to limit social engineering attacks in which criminals try to view these screens and steal your information.

In this case, you have mentioned that you will implement notifications that are automatically hidden while screen sharing and one-time passwords (OTP) to prevent remote fraud. Additionally, the screen will hide when credentials with usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers are entered.

On the other hand, he recalled a function currently available on Pixel devices, which will be extended to the rest of Android terminals, which will have the ability to share only the content of an application instead of the entire screen, in order to preserve the privacy of users. .

Finally, it has pointed out the deployment of notifications that will clearly inform users when their data is visible to other people, which will arrive on Android-based smartphones later this year.

Additionally, the technology company promotes Android 15 improvements in energy efficiency and performanceas well as a smoother experience when transitioning from picture to picture, incorporating custom widget previews and more intuitive gesture navigation, as well as rich haptic responses for notifications.

TOOLS TO AVOID BEING SPYED ON

At this time, Google also has worked on new features so that users can defend themselves against cybercriminals who use simulators to spy on them or send them fraudulent SMS.

In this sense, he has said that he will send a notification in case the network connection is not encrypted, which exposes voice and SMS traffic and is potentially visible to others. This way, you can warn users if they are being targeted by cybercriminals and that they are trying to inject a fraudulent SMS.

It has also commented that it will take care of those who are at risk – such as journalists or dissidents – by alerting them if a possible fraudulent cell station or surveillance tool is recording their location using an identifier.

Google has added that these features require compatible hardware and that it is working to offer these features to users through original manufacturer (OEM) equipment “in the coming years.”

GREATER PROTECTION IN PREVIOUS VERSIONS OF ANDROID

Google has also commented on other security tools in case of theft, which will reach devices that have at least the version Android 10 later this year. Among them is the theft detection function, powered by Google AI, which quickly blocks the device if it identifies that someone has snatched it from another person and tries to run, among other cases.

In case the thief attempts to unplug the phone for extended periods of time, the Offline Device Lock feature automatically locks the screen to protect data “even when the device It’s off the grid.” It will also be responsible for locking the smartphone screen when too many failed authentication attempts are made.

Regarding the solutions it offers in case of theft, Google has finally commented that the implementation of remote blocking or Remote Lock, which complements Find My Device. This is a function that allows you to unlock the phone screen by answering a series of security questions from any other device.

Google has stressed that, of all these functionalities, both factory reset protection and private space functionality will also arrive in the next version of its operating system.

The brand has also commented on a latest security update that concerns Google Play Protect, which will use AI on mobile phones later this year to identify applications suspected of perpetrating ‘phishing’ attacks. through a real-time threat detection system.

This detection will analyze how apps use sensitive permissions and interact with others to detect suspicious behavior in real time. This way, if Google Play Protect finds something that looks malicious, it sends this service to Google for further review.