Google Strengthens Advanced Protection in Android 16
Google announced new device-level security enhancements for its Advanced Protection program, coinciding with the Android 16 release. This program safeguards high-risk users like journalists and politicians from digital threats.
Enhanced Security Features
Android 16 introduces several key security upgrades:
- Encrypted Device Logs: A new feature stores device logs with end-to-end encryption in the cloud, accessible only by the user for threat analysis if a compromise is suspected.
- USB Charging Protection: While locked, devices will only permit charging from new USB connections, preventing unauthorized data access.
- Automatic Restart: Devices will automatically restart after 72 hours of being locked, further mitigating potential threats. This feature was previously mentioned in a Google Play services update.
- Wi-Fi Security: Advanced Protection will prevent automatic reconnection to unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
- Real-Time Scam Detection: Building on a feature launched earlier for Pixel phones, private on-device processing will analyze calls to detect and warn users about potential scams.
These enhancements aim to provide an extra layer of security for high-risk individuals using Android 16 and enrolled in the Advanced Protection program.
The announcement came ahead of Google I/O 2025. For more information, you can learn how to watch the Google I/O livestream.
