Google Unveils New Measures to Tackle Phone Theft in Africa

Google has unveiled new protective measures to safeguard Android users in Africa against smartphone theft. Among the innovations is the Theft Detection Lock, which analyses device signals to identify possible theft attempts. In such cases, the feature locks the screen to prevent unauthorised access to sensitive data.

The company has also introduced the Offline Device Lock, designed to protect users if thieves take devices offline to extract data or avoid a remote wipe via Android’s Find My Device. If a device remains offline and unlocked for an extended period, the screen will automatically lock to render the phone unusable.

Another addition is the Remote Lock feature, which allows users to quickly secure their lost or stolen devices. This feature works in conjunction with Find My Device, enabling users to lock, locate, or remotely wipe their smartphones. Even if users forget their Google account credentials at the time of theft, they can lock their devices by visiting Android.com/lock and verifying their phone number

Google confirmed these features are rolling out progressively, starting with devices covering 90% of active Android users worldwide. Most Android 10+ devices will gain access through a Google Play Services update, but users must enable the features in their settings.

Phone theft is pervasive across Africa as smartphone usage rises. In Sub-Saharan Africa, adoption rates are 61% in Kenya, 31% in Uganda, and around 24-25% in Rwanda and Burundi. With this increase, the resale value of stolen phones and the sensitive data they contain make them prime targets for thieves.

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The GSMA Consumer (Groupe Spéciale Mobile Association), a global organisation representing the interests of mobile operators and the broader mobile ecosystem, reported in its 2023 survey that 19% of mobile users in South Africa experienced phone theft or loss in the past year. Millions of devices are stolen annually, posing a significant challenge for both individuals and businesses that rely on smartphones for personal and financial activities.

To address this issue, Google has included several anti-theft measures in the latest Android 15 update:

• Sensitive Setting Restrictions: Changes to settings like Find My Device now require a PIN, password, or biometric authentication.
• Failed Login Attempts: Multiple unsuccessful login attempts lock the device, preventing unauthorised access.
• Improved Factory Reset Protection: New measures make it more difficult for thieves to reset devices without the user’s Google account credentials, reducing resale value and protecting data.
• Identity Check Feature: An opt-in feature requiring biometric authentication to access key Google accounts and device settings from untrusted locations.

These features aim to protect users by pre-emptively deterring theft, safeguarding data, and ensuring that stolen devices have minimal value on the resale market.