Google I/O 2024: A new feature is coming to smartphones, making it easier to catch thieves. After the update on Android phones, a feature named ‘Theft Detection Lock’ will be introduced, allowing your phone to automatically lock if it’s stolen. Google unveiled this remarkable feature during the recently held developer conference (Google I/O 2024).
No More Worries for Phone Thieves
Over the past few years, incidents of phone theft have been on the rise. While the police often apprehend both thieves and stolen items in cases of bike or car theft, finding a stolen phone and catching the thief has proven to be quite challenging. With the introduction of Google’s new feature, this task has become easier. Once activated, if your phone is stolen, the thief will be caught.
The feature, named ‘Theft Detection Lock,’ will be available on older Android versions like Android 12, 13, and 14 as well. Let’s delve into how it works.
How Does the New Feature Work?
Google has developed this feature based on Motion Sensor technology. If someone snatches your phone from your hand or picks it up from a table abruptly, this feature will automatically lock the screen. Furthermore, if someone attempts to disable the internet, the phone will still lock itself. This is crucial because the first thing a thief often tries to do is turn off the phone’s internet to avoid being tracked by Google’s ‘Find My Device’ feature.
Now, tracking the phone will be much easier as the thief won’t be able to turn it off. Google has also introduced several new privacy features, such as ‘Private Spaces,’ where users can secure their data on certain apps by setting passwords. Additionally, when resetting the phone, users will now need to use a PIN, and private information like OTP will no longer be visible on the screen while screen sharing.
This new feature from Google marks a significant step forward in smartphone security, ensuring better protection against theft and enhanced privacy for users.