Google is introducing several new features to the Android mobile platform aimed at protecting users from telephone scammers. Developers continue to create anti-fraud tools, striving to provide comprehensive protection for Android devices.
One of the key innovations is the automatic blocking of app downloads from browsers, messengers, and other sources during communication with strangers. In addition, Android will no longer allow apps to access sensitive permissions while a phone call is in progress. This should help prevent potentially dangerous applications from gaining control over the device or stealing personal data.
If the user tries to change any settings during a call, a warning message will appear on the screen: “This setting is blocked to protect your device.” Google also notes that “fraudsters may try to take over your device by asking you to allow access to an app.” Play Protect, the Android security service, is already protected from being disabled during active calls.
These updates are designed to operate directly on the user’s device, without relying on cloud processing. According to Google, the goal is to prevent scammers from convincing victims to install malicious apps or grant access to them. These new features will roll out to devices running Android 16.
Extra Protection for Banking and Screen Sharing
In addition to permission and download controls, Google has started testing a new feature that blocks banking apps from launching during phone calls. This measure is meant to counteract fraudsters pretending to be bank support representatives. It prevents them from pushing users into actions involving financial apps while still on the phone.
Banking applications will also be blocked from launching in screen sharing mode during calls with unknown contacts. If a user attempts to launch a banking app in such a situation, a warning about “possible fraud” will appear, offering the option to end the call instead. This feature is planned to become available on devices running Android 11 and newer, notes NIX Solutions.
Overall, these updates are part of Google’s broader effort to increase user protection on Android, especially during moments when users may be more vulnerable. We’ll keep you updated as more integrations become available across supported versions.