On one hand, phone theft has been a growing concern in many countries across Africa whereas on the flipside smartphone usage is on the rise in Sub-Saharan Africa with adoption rates reaching 61% in Kenya, 31% in Uganda and 24-25% in Rwanda and Burundi.
According to Google, phone theft can be a traumatic experience but there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk and protect personal information.
Recently, the tech giant unveiled a full suite of features that have been developed and thoroughly beta-tested, designed to protect users and their data at every stage.
This is before, during and after device theft.
Dubbed Theft Detection Lock, Google said this new feature uses powerful AI to proactively protect one at the moment of a theft attempt.
By using on-device machine learning, Google continued, 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, this feature uses device sensors to identify theft attempts,” the tech giant said.
It further noted that the increased uptake of smartphones across the region has been accompanied by a rise in cellphone theft, as these devices become attractive targets for criminals due to their resale value and sensitive data within.
This, Google said, poses a significant challenge that can have serious consequences for both individuals and businesses in the region.
“GSMA reports millions of devices stolen every year, and the numbers continue to grow. With our phones becoming increasingly more valuable & central to storing sensitive data, like payment information and personal details, losing one can be an unsettling experience,” Google added.
Additionally, this new feature is rolling out gradually to ensure compatibility with various devices, starting with Android devices that cover 90% of active users worldwide.
Users are urged to check their theft protection settings page periodically to see if their device is currently supported.
In addition to Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock protects users if a thief tries to take their device offline to extract data or avoid a remote wipe via Android’s Find My Device.
If an unlocked device goes offline for prolonged periods, Google noted this feature locks the screen to ensure one’s phone can’t be used in the hands of a thief.
If a user’s Android device is lost or stolen, the company further noted that Remote Lock can quickly help one secure it.
“Even if you can’t remember your Google account credentials at the moment of theft, you can use any device to visit Android.com/lock and lock your phone with just a verified phone number,” the tech giant continued.
“Remote Lock secures your device while you regain access through Android’s Find My Device – which lets you secure, locate or remotely wipe your device. As a security best practice, we always recommend backing up your device on a continuous basis, so remotely wiping your device is not an issue.”
These features are now available on most Android 10+ devices via a Google Play Services update and must be enabled in settings.
Advanced security to deter theft before it happens
In an article, Google noted that Android 15 introduces new security features to deter theft before it happens by making it harder for thieves to access sensitive settings, apps, or reset one’s device for resale which further includes:
- Changes to sensitive settings like Find My Device now require one’s PIN, password, or biometric authentication.
- Multiple failed login attempts, which could be a sign that a thief is trying to guess a user’s password, will lock down the device, preventing unauthorised access.
- Enhanced factory reset protection making it even harder for thieves to reset one’s device without the Google account credentials, significantly reducing its resale value and protecting one’s data.
Later this year, Google has announced that it will launch Identity Check, an opt-in feature that will add an extra layer of protection by requiring biometric authentication when accessing critical Google account and device settings, like changing one’s PIN, disabling theft protection, or accessing Passkeys from an untrusted location.
“This helps prevent unauthorised access even if your device PIN is compromised,” the company said.
“By integrating advanced technology like AI and biometric authentication, we’re making Android devices less appealing targets for thieves to give you greater peace of mind.”
“These theft protection features are just one example of how Android is working to provide real-world protection for everyone. We’re dedicated to working with our partners around the world to continuously improve Android security and help you and your data stay safe.”
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