Google unveils AI to take care of phone theft in Africa

Google unveils AI to take care of phone theft in Africa

Following the challenges of phone theft in Africa, Google has decided to roll out advanced security updates aimed at protecting Android users.

With theft rates soaring—19% of mobile phone users in South Africa report losing their devices annually, according to the GSMA Consumer Survey 2023—the need for robust security measures has become more urgent than ever.

Google’s newly launched features, available globally for Android 10+ and Android 15 devices, leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and biometric authentication to safeguard users before, during, and after a theft attempt.

Among the key innovations is Theft Detection Lock, an AI-driven tool that uses machine learning to recognise suspicious handling patterns.

When potential theft is detected, the feature locks the screen, denying unauthorised access.

Complementing this is Offline Device Lock, which secures the phone if it’s taken offline to evade tracking or remote wiping, and Remote Lock, enabling users to secure their device by simply visiting Android.com/lock with a verified phone number.

These tools integrate seamlessly with Android’s Find My Device, allowing users to locate, secure, or remotely wipe their devices to protect sensitive data.

Android 15 introduces additional deterrents, such as requiring biometric authentication for changes to critical settings, enhanced factory reset protection, and locking devices after multiple failed login attempts.

Later this year, Google plans to roll out Identity Check, an optional feature requiring biometric verification for high-stakes actions like disabling theft protection.

These updates are already accessible through a Google Play Services update.