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Google Enhances Android Theft Protection With New Security Upgrades

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Google announces global rollout of Android Theft protection features, teases Identity Check

Google has announced a major expansion of its Android Theft Protection system, introducing new features designed to make stolen smartphones far less useful to criminals. The update focuses on protecting user data at every stage of a theft attempt — before, during, and after a device is compromised — reinforcing Android’s security framework.

According to Google, the latest theft protection tools build on existing safeguards by offering users greater control over authentication, improved lockout behaviour, and more robust account recovery options. These enhancements are intended to prevent unauthorised access even if a thief manages to bypass the initial lock screen.

In a recent security blog post, the Mountain View–based company confirmed that the new features are rolling out to devices running Android 16 or later. One key upgrade is the expansion of the Failed Authentication Lock feature, first introduced with Android 15. It now includes a dedicated on/off toggle in settings, allowing users to manage the feature more easily.

Another notable addition is the improved Identity Check system. Apps that rely on Android Biometric Prompt, including third-party banking apps and Google Password Manager, will now require biometric verification when sensitive actions are attempted outside trusted locations. This extra layer of protection ensures that even if a device falls into the wrong hands, critical apps and personal data remain secure.

Samsung Aims to Expand Galaxy AI Devices to 800 Million This Year

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Samsung Electronics is preparing to significantly expand the reach of its Galaxy AI features as competition in the global artificial intelligence market intensifies. The company plans to sharply increase the number of mobile devices equipped with AI-powered capabilities, many of which are supported by Google’s Gemini technology.

According to the company, Samsung had already enabled Galaxy AI features on roughly 400 million devices, including smartphones and tablets, by the end of last year. These tools have become a central part of Samsung’s strategy to differentiate its products in an increasingly crowded mobile market.

Looking ahead, Samsung aims to double that figure in 2026, bringing Galaxy AI to approximately 800 million mobile devices worldwide. The expansion is expected to give the company a stronger position against competitors as AI-driven features become a key factor in consumer purchasing decisions.

Speaking to Reuters in his first interview since assuming the role of co-CEO in November, T.M. Roh emphasized the company’s broad ambitions for artificial intelligence. He said Samsung intends to integrate AI across its entire product lineup, covering hardware, software, and services, as quickly and comprehensively as possible.

Warning for Samsung Galaxy Users: Spyware ‘Landfall’ Found Stealing Data for Nearly a Year

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Cybersecurity researchers from Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42 have discovered a dangerous Android spyware called Landfall, which has been targeting Samsung Galaxy devices for nearly a year, stealing sensitive user data without detection.

The spyware spread through a malicious DNG image sent via messaging apps like WhatsApp, exploiting a zero-day vulnerability — unknown to Samsung at the time — to take full control of the infected device.

Once activated, Landfall could access photos, messages, contacts, call logs, location data, and even the microphone. According to the report, the first signs of the campaign appeared in July 2024, but Samsung only patched the flaw (CVE-2025-21042) in April 2025, leaving users exposed for months.

The vulnerability resided in ‘libimagecodec.quram.so’, allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary code without user interaction. The main affected models include the Galaxy S22, S23, S24, and some Galaxy Z devices running Android 13 to 15.

Researchers believe the campaign was a targeted espionage operation, primarily affecting users in the Middle East, and possibly linked to private-sector offensive actors (AOSP).

It remains unclear who developed Landfall or how many users were affected, but senior researcher Itay Cohen described it as a “precision attack” rather than a widespread infection.

Samsung has released a security patch, and experts strongly advise all Galaxy users to update their devices immediately to stay protected.