Google introduces AI‑driven theft detection for Android users
Google is taking a stand against smartphone theft by introducing new security features. The company announced Theft Detection Lock, an artificial intelligence system to protect devices.
Losing a phone today means losing not only the device but also important personal data—from banking apps to emails and home management systems. For users, it can be distressing when a thief unexpectedly snatches the phone on the street.
Thefts involving electric bikes or motorcycles have unfortunately become common in several Western European cities. Google decided to take action by introducing new protective features in the Android system, which was presented at the Google I/O 2024 conference.
The Detection Lock - a theft prevention solution from Google
One of the options is a lock that activates when the system detects a theft. Thanks to artificial intelligence, phones will recognise sudden movements that are characteristic of theft, such as being snatched from the hand and quickly moved away. In such situations, the smartphone will immediately lock, preventing the thief from accessing the data.
What other features are worth using?
Google is not limiting itself to this solution alone. To make it harder to sell stolen phones, the company has introduced additional security measures, such as Offline Device Lock and Factory Reset Protection.
The Offline Device Lock feature will lock the phone when disconnected from the network and after failed authorisation attempts. Meanwhile, Factory Reset Protection prevents a thief from resetting the device to factory settings without Google account details. Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock will be available for Android 10 and newer devices, while the enhanced reset protection feature will be available only for Android 15.
