Android's latest security feature will lock out devices when detecting "motion associated with theft"

[zohaibahd]

Something to look forward to: Losing your device to theft is more than just a financial hit, there's the hassle of remote wiping it so that no one gets access to your private data and photos, and perhaps even canceling saved payment methods. It's a real headache. But there's good news for Android users: new anti-theft features are rolling out, designed to take some of the worry off your shoulders.

Google announced a trio of new theft protection features for Android earlier this year, designed to help secure your device if it's lost or stolen. After launching in beta in Brazil in August, these safeguards are now gradually making their way to more countries, including the United States. Some users are already seeing them show up on their phones.

In a Threads post on Friday, Mishaal Rahman shared that his Xiaomi 14T Pro shows the new Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock features, though Remote Lock was missing.

As for what they have in store, the coolest of the three has to be Theft Detection Lock. It uses AI and machine learning models to detect "common motion associated with theft" like if someone forcibly grabs the phone out of your hand, then bikes or drives away. When it picks up on those jerky movements, it will automatically lock the device, rendering it useless to whomever snatched it.

Then there's Offline Device Lock which, as the name implies, can lock down your phone's screen even when it's offline and not connected to the internet. Google says this kicks in if "a thief tries to disconnect your phone for prolonged periods of time" in an attempt to bypass security by cutting off network access.

The third anti-theft tool is Remote Lock. This one comes in handy if you're sure your phone is gone for good and you want to brick it from anywhere. Just head to android.com/lock, enter your number, and answer a security challenge to remotely lock the screen.

To check if your particular Android phone is among those with early access to these theft protection features, just search "theft protection" in your settings app or navigate to Settings > Google > Personal & device safety. As of now, some users are only seeing one or two of the three locks enabled.

The rollout appears to be somewhat random at this early stage. Reports indicate the full set of anti-theft locks is visible on Pixels in the Google Play services beta program but not everyone's seeing it.

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Android's latest security feature will lock out devices when detecting "motion associated with theft"

 

[The Talking Tech]

This is something that should have been in place at least a decade ago.....somehow for years we had all sorts of spy and tracking apps but nothing built into the phone to lock them out???.... security and privacy software fell through the cracks and for sure it could have been way better from the beginning.

 

[Trapped Nowhere]

Why is phone jacking so popular in brazil

 

[Squid Surprise]

So when I get off my bike, with phone in hand, and run somewhere (like to catch a bus), my phone locks? Please tell me there’s a way to unlock it…

I would wager that phone thieves will be able to bypass this “lock” pretty easily - whereas legitimate users will probably be screwed.

 

[BuckarooBonzaii]

I'm guessing there will be a time limit to re-enter some kind of code if its a false alarm. I expect social engineering by thieves to show up in the wild just like other scams.

 

[Mr Majestyk]

Why is phone jacking so popular in brazil

It's s third world country with more than half the population living in abject poverty.

 

[ZedRM]

Anything that can easily and effectively lock a legit user out of their own device is unacceptable. This is misery waiting to happen. No Thank You @ Google

 

[Theinsanegamer]

All we need is the option to lock our device via serial number if lost. That's it. ChromeOS can do it, and its very effective.

 

[toooooot]

Why is phone jacking so popular in Brazil

I am going to guess that it went down in many countries, including Brazil. Because you used to be able to use stolen phones. I remember when this problem became big in Cali, it was in the news often.
Then the phone makers and Google started to implement more and more security measures.
It was very easy to sell desirable stolen phones. Now they are just bricked and only the stupidest criminals still attempt to use them.
Laptops should have the same level of security. They cost as much, they should have the same level of protection from theft.

 

[umeng2002]

The slight jab at Brazil

 

[hahahanoobs]

So when I get off my bike, with phone in hand, and run somewhere (like to catch a bus), my phone locks? Please tell me there’s a way to unlock it…

I would wager that phone thieves will be able to bypass this “lock” pretty easily - whereas legitimate users will probably be screwed.

lol it simply locks your phone as opposed to being unlocked while you're using it.
you would unlock it how you normally would.

 

[seeprime]

So when I get off my bike, with phone in hand, and run somewhere (like to catch a bus), my phone locks? Please tell me there’s a way to unlock it…

I would wager that phone thieves will be able to bypass this “lock” pretty easily - whereas legitimate users will probably be screwed.

I presume you unlock like you normally do. The feature should protect people whose phones are stolen when they're unlocked and in use. Anything else would be corporate stupidity.

 

[hahahanoobs]

You can join the Google System services public beta program for a chance to get these features sooner.

 

[arrowflash]

Why is phone jacking so popular in brazil

Because a midrange phone might cost more than the monthly minimum wage.

 

[wiyosaya]

I can see this going over really well! /s

 

[wiyosaya]

I presume you unlock like you normally do. The feature should protect people whose phones are stolen when they're unlocked and in use. Anything else would be corporate stupidity.

As I see it, unlocked and in use would be a rarity at least for getting stolen in that state. IMO, its just Google trying to project an image for their marketing department that they really GAS about safeguarding android users data.

 

[Gastec]

"Theft Detection Lock. It uses AI and machine learning models to detect "common motion associated with theft" like if someone forcibly grabs the phone out of your hand, then bikes or drives away."

But of course it does! I should have known it would involve some kind of "AI". There is not one tech article these days that does't have "AI" in it. I still don't trust Google with my data.

 

[scoffer]

Another sad attempt at justifying AI.

 

[passingposeidon]

So when I get off my bike, with phone in hand, and run somewhere (like to catch a bus), my phone locks? Please tell me there’s a way to unlock it…

I would wager that phone thieves will be able to bypass this “lock” pretty easily - whereas legitimate users will probably be screwed.

The phone will be locked and encrypted, unlocking it will be extremely difficult. You basically need 0day exploits/back doors, or access provided by the manufacturer.

Secondly, unlocking it yourself will be relatively easy with a passcode/normal ID methods. So it should not impact you as a user. It might trigger randomly in the situation you described, but you'd unlock it as normal anyway without any bother.

 

[passingposeidon]

As I see it, unlocked and in use would be a rarity at least for getting stolen in that state. IMO, its just Google trying to project an image for their marketing department that they really GAS about safeguarding android users data.

In London at least, people riding past on bikes and grabbing phones out of peoples hands is very common.