How Android 15 is boosting features to match iPhone protections

Google is set to enhance Android security and privacy features with the upcoming release of Android 15, narrowing the gap with Apple's iPhone in protecting users' devices and data.

The new version of Android will include live threat detection to quickly identify malware and permission abuse, improved cellular network defense, and tighter controls over app activities. These updates aim to address growing concerns about app permissions and potential spyware threats on the Android platform.

A key improvement reported by 9to5Google is an expansion of the Privacy Dashboard. The new feature, originally introduced in Android 15 Developer Preview 1, will provide users with a seven-day history of app access to sensitive functions like location, camera, and microphone. This extended view, up from the previous 24-hour window, is designed to help users identify potentially problematic apps more effectively.

The expanded Privacy Dashboard is expected to roll out as part of the November 2024 Google Play system update. It will be available on various Android 15 QPR1 Pixel devices, offering users a more comprehensive timeline for monitoring app behaviors.

This update comes in response to ongoing concerns about app permissions on Android devices. A recent study by CyberNews analyzed 50 popular apps on the Google Play Store and found that 33 requested access to device cameras and audio recording capabilities. Additionally, more than half of the examined apps sought permission to track precise location and access user contacts.

Security experts advise users to be cautious about granting permissions, particularly for camera, microphone, phone, messaging functions, and location tracking. They recommend only allowing such access when absolutely necessary for an app's core functionality.

The announcement follows recent reports of Android spyware threats, including the discovery of 77 infected apps capable of intercepting user interactions. Researchers at Cleafy identified DroidBot, an advanced Android Remote Access Trojan combining hidden VNC and overlay capabilities with spyware features.

Google's efforts to centralize privacy monitoring and enhance user control over app permissions are seen as crucial steps in combating these evolving security threats on the Android platform.