To increase user protection from scams and harmful apps, Google just announced a whole bunch of new features designed to enhance user security. The tech giant is expanding its Google Play Protect live detection feature. It is introducing new tools to detect harmful apps and improve protections during calls. All of these features will be released over the next several months.
Supported devices
Users with Google Pixel 6 and newer devices from certain manufacturers will be able to access them.
The central focus driving these changes is to protect users from manipulative practices used by fraudsters. Google is following suit by changing or removing app icons. This strategy seeks to prevent users from being deceived into downloading dangerous software or providing their sensitive information. The company is optimistic these new enhancements will greatly increase security for their users. This is all the more essential when they use their devices during moments of increased vulnerability.
New Features in Google Play Protect
Google Play Protect is changing to make it a better detection and enforcement platform for unsafe applications. Read our full post about this initiative — it’s a great first step to keep users safe. It will add new features that detect bad apps and stop people from unknowingly installing them.
To further protect users, the company is implementing new, multifaceted, in-call protections to increase safety. These steps will prevent users from bypassing Google Play Protect as well. This provision not only allows the app to stay in use during voice calls, but keeps a watchful eye for potential illicit acts at all times.
“This feature will be enabled automatically for participating banking apps whenever you’re on a phone call with an unknown contact on Android 11+ devices,” – Google
Moreover, many of these in-call protections actively work to stop users from sideloading apps. They override users’ ability to grant accessibility permissions that would otherwise put them at risk. By banning these practices, Google is doing their part to reduce the possibilities for scammers to take advantage of cracks in the system.
Alerts and Warnings for Users
A major highlight of the latest round of improvements are alerts specifically aimed at warning users when they’re about to be scammed, particularly during high-risk transactions. Google will start notifying users of these changes. This occurs when they open a participating banking app during a screen sharing session with an unrecognized individual. This new proactive warning system will help alert users to dangers and encourage them to be vigilant when interacting with unknown parties.
Google is launching a new unsafe redirections warning feature for Chrome on Android. This feature operates with an on-device machine learning model. For one, it proactively determines and warns you of blacklisted notifications that can be harmful from dubious sites. Our fundamental bottom line is to keep users from being scammed. We want to stop real bad guys from getting your personal info.
“When a notification is flagged by Chrome, you’ll see the name of the site sending the notification, a message warning that the contents of the notification are potentially deceptive or spammy, and the option to either unsubscribe from the site or see the flagged content,” – Hannah Buonomo and Sarah Krakowiak Criel
The integration of these alerts into everyday browsing and app usage reflects Google’s commitment to enhancing user security through innovative technology.
Advanced Protection and Machine Learning Integration
Google is about to roll out similar Advanced Protection feature in its forthcoming Android 16 release. This improvement is intended to deliver users new protections from online threats and dangers posed by malicious apps.
Google’s solution would mean on-device large language models (LLMs) that analyze calls to preemptively reduce scams. These models allow them to quickly zero in on potentially dangerous sites. This helps the firm offer protective measures against even invisible cons.
“The on-device approach provides instant insight on risky websites and allows us to offer protection, even against scams that haven’t been seen before,” – Google
Additionally, Google is improving security around one-time passwords (OTPs). In more sensitive contexts, Android will prevent OTPs from displaying on the lock screen, adding an important layer of security. This way, only authorized users can view them even after unlocking their devices.
“We’re also enhancing your security against thieves in Android 16 by providing more protection for one-time passwords that are received when your phone is locked,” – Google
By building in these protections from the start, Google intends to build an all-around defense system against all types of online attacks.