An upcoming feature will protect against scams by blocking access to some settings during a call
Feb 14, 20254:12 PM EST
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Google is reportedly working on a new feature for Android 16 that could protect people from malicious scam calls.
The new feature will block users from performing certain actions during a phone call. This should prevent specific phone scams that require you to sideload malicious apps.
According to Android expert Mishaal Rahman, writing for Android Authority, Android 16 will have a security feature that blocks its users from changing sensitive settings during a phone call. Some scam callers attempt to get users to download malicious content to steal vital information from their phones. Scammers instruct the users how to sideload apps on Android and guide them through the process.
With Android 16, however, phones will detect when a phone call is active and prevent users from enabling the permission to sideload. Sideloading is typically off by default, and this feature can also help if you’ve already enabled the functionality. Android 16 will also prevent users from enabling sensitive permissions, such as accessibility settings, during active phone calls.
These features aren’t available yet in Android 16 Beta 2, but Rahman suspects they’ll arrive later this year.
Source: Android Authority
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