Google announces new "Theft detection lock" feature for Android

Google will continue to enhance and expand its anti-theft features, ensuring that Android users worldwide can rely on stronger security measures to protect their devices and data against theft.

Google announces new "Theft detection lock" feature for Android
Image: lowyat.net

Google has unveiled a range of new anti-theft features for Android 15 at the I/O developer conference this year. According to information on Michael Rahman's X account, the first feature of anti-theft offerings has now been rolled out to a small group of users in a beta version.

This feature, called "Theft detection lock", prevents unauthorized access to devices. It uses advanced smartphone sensors and artificial intelligence to detect potential theft. If the phone detects suspicious movement or unusual activity, it triggers a lockdown mode to prevent access. The "Theft detection lock" also includes additional layers of security, such as automatically locking the device if it stays offline for a long time. If the device connects to an unfamiliar network or moves away from the usual network, the security system increases its protection and responds quickly to potential threats. Even if the phone is stolen, this ensures that the data remains safe.

Image: DIW-Aigen

While this feature is currently available only to a limited number of users in Brazil, Google has announced plans to expand its availability. The company intends to roll out these anti-theft features to more Android devices, including older versions, through an update via the Play Store.