Google has improved Android’s security with a set of new protections aimed at stopping phone call scams. These changes are designed to block people from making unsafe security changes during phone calls: a common tactic with scammers.
Attackers can gain control of your phone during a call by abusing built-in functions and fooling you into allowing them access. They commonly rely on deceptive persuasion techniques to push you into making fast decisions without careful consideration. Google’s new feature stops certain security actions while a call is active with someone not in the user’s contacts.
This in-call protection is meant to prevent scammers from remotely changing device settings to access sensitive information. For example, you will no longer be able to turn off Google Play Protect, Android’s built-in security system that constantly checks for harmful apps. This protection works on Android 6 and newer versions.
Devices on Android 16 and above cannot sideload apps (install apps from outside the Google Play Store) or give out accessibility permissions during an active call. Sideloaded apps can grant accessibility permissions, which can let malicious apps take control of a device. While it gets more commonly known over time, many people are unaware of how dangerous this can be.
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To fight screen-sharing scams, where scammers walk people through harmful actions while watching their screen, Android will now automatically ask to stop screen sharing when a call ends. This is more for those who are less careful and don’t understand, but it is good nonetheless. With one tap, people can end the call and stop screen sharing at the same time, reducing the risk of fraud.
Going further, Google is testing an extra security feature for banking apps in the UK. This trial will warn people f they open a participating banking app while screen sharing with an unknown contact. This feature will work on Android 11 and later devices and may expand after the UK trial.
To stop impersonation scams, Google will launch Key Verifier in Google Messages later this summer for Android 10 and newer devices. This tool uses public encryption keys to let users confirm their contacts’ identities. By scanning a QR code or matching numbers, people can verify that they’re really talking to the right person, adding security against SIM swap attacks or other situations where a scammer pretends to be someone else.
If a contact’s verification status changes (like after a SIM swap), the Google Contacts app will alert you of a possible security breach. This is great because the more advanced scammers tend to use contacts and names you would recognize.
While this isn’t going to stop scamming entirely, it will make it safer for those who don’t understand the danger of believing every contact. To stay safe, always be careful not to share personal information, avoid downloading files unless you’re sure about them, and don’t trust anyone you don’t know with your device. While Google is doing its best to stop malicious attacks, you are the best defense against scammers.
Source: Google