In a bid to combat phone theft and protect users’ sensitive data, Google has announced new advanced theft protection features for Android devices in Africa and around the world.
This is contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by the Account Manager, Irvine Partners, by Mrs Oluwaseun Odufuwa, in Lagos.
The features, which are now available on most Android 10+ devices, use AI-powered theft detection, offline device lock, and enhanced security features to safeguard users’ devices and data.
“Phone theft is a serious concern in many countries across Africa, including South Africa, a situation where a phone is stolen will highlights the need for better phone theft solutions.
“Advanced theft protection features are now available to users around the world through Android 15 and a Google Play Services update on Android ten plus devices.
“Smartphone usage is on the rise in Sub-Saharan Africa, with adoption rates reaching 61 per cent in Kenya, 31 per cent in Uganda, and 24-25 per cent in Rwanda and Burundi.
“This increased uptake has been accompanied by a rise in cell-phone theft, as these devices become attractive targets for criminals due to their resale value and sensitive data within.
“This poses a significant challenge that can have serious consequences for both individuals and businesses in the region,” Odufuwa states.
According to Google, phone theft has raised a need for serious concern in Africa, in most cases of theft; the new feature will highlights solutions which it aims to achieve.
“The AI-powered theft detection feature uses on-device machine learning to detect potential theft attempts and lock the screen to prevent unauthorised access.
“The offline device lock feature protects data even when the device is offline, while the enhanced security features make it harder for thieves to access sensitive settings and data.
According to the statement, the Global System for Mobile Communications GSMA, Consumer Survey 2023, 19% of mobile phone users in South Africa experienced theft or loss of their device in the past year.
“The GSMA reports millions of devices stolen every year, and the numbers continue to grow.
“With our phones becoming increasingly more valuable and central to storing sensitive data, like payment information and personal details, losing one can be an unsettling experience,” it said.
Google also announces that it will be launching an opt-in feature called Identity Check later this year, which will require biometric authentication when accessing critical Google account and device settings.
The new features are part of Google’s efforts to provide real-world protection for Android users and make Android devices less appealing targets for thieves.
“Phone theft can be a traumatic experience, but there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk and protect personal information.
“That is why we have developed and thoroughly beta tested, a full suite of features designed to protect you and your data at every stage – before, during and after device theft.
“Theft detection lock uses powerful AI to proactively protect you at the moment of a theft attempt, by using on-device machine learning, theft detection lock is able to analyse various device signals to detect potential theft attempts.
“If the algorithm detects a potential theft attempt on your unlocked device, it locks your screen to keep thieves out, to protect your sensitive data if your phone is stolen; Theft Detection Lock uses device sensors to identify theft attempts”
“To enable the new theft protection features on your Android device, follow these steps, go to your device’s settings, scroll down and select “Security”, Select theft protection and enable the features. The features are available on most Android 10+ devices via a Google Play Services update,” it says.
This feature is rolling out gradually to ensure compatibility with various devices, starting with Android devices that cover 90% of active users worldwide.
The statement urges Android users to always check the theft protection settings page periodically to see if the device is currently supported.
In addition to theft detection lock, Google says that the offline device lock also protects the phone.
