Google Android and Pixel security enhancements

Google is advancing security features for Android and Pixel devices to mitigate theft and fraud. Recent developments, including the Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 for Pixel devices, introduce motion-sensing technology that automatically locks the screen if a device is snatched from a user. To prevent thieves from bypassing security by disabling connectivity, an “Offline Device Lock” feature triggers a countdown to lock the screen if a SIM card is removed or Airplane Mode is enabled.

To combat digital fraud, Google is implementing protections against call-spoofing and USSD-code-based redirection scams, which aim to prevent attackers from executing unauthorized commands via the mobile network. These efforts complement existing AI-driven protections, such as Google Play Protect, which reportedly blocked approximately 27 million malicious apps in 2025.

While Google continues to expand its Scam Detection capabilities—potentially extending protection from incoming calls to outgoing calls—other industry players are also developing similar tools. For instance, Meta is testing a ‘Scam Alert’ feature for WhatsApp that uses on-device AI to analyze chat patterns for fraudulent activity.