Google updates Android security, Android Auto, and Gemini AI access

Google is implementing several significant updates across its software ecosystem. For Android 17, the company is expanding its Advanced Protection mode with six new security features. A key addition is ‘Intrusion Logging’, a privacy-preserving forensic tool that records app installations, DNS queries, and network activity. These logs are end-to-end encrypted and stored for 12 months to assist in investigating spyware attacks.

Android Auto is also undergoing changes. Recent updates focus on improved media playback for apps without native automotive interfaces, such as YouTube Premium. Additionally, Google is rolling out a fix for a bug where the mobile signal strength icon would disappear from the status bar. Users can also customize their launchers and privacy settings, such as hiding the first line of incoming messages.

In the realm of artificial intelligence, Google is restructuring its Gemini model access. Starting October 9, free users will be limited to the Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite model. The AI Plus subscription will transition to include only Flash-Lite and Flash models, while the Pro model will be reserved for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. Conversely, the AI Pro tier will gain access to the ‘Deep Think’ reasoning mode.