SAO PAULO, Brazil – In a groundbreaking move, Alphabet’s Google announced on Tuesday that Brazil will be the first country to trial a new AI-driven anti-theft feature for Android phones.
This innovative system aims to identify when a phone has been stolen and subsequently lock the device’s screen, marking a significant step forward in mobile security.
The pilot phase will introduce three distinct locking mechanisms. The first utilizes artificial intelligence developed by Google to detect “common movements associated with theft” and automatically block the screen.
This proactive approach leverages AI to recognize suspicious activity, offering users an additional layer of protection.
The second feature allows users to remotely lock their device by entering their phone number and completing a security challenge from another device. This option provides flexibility for users to secure their phone from a distance, ensuring their personal data remains protected even if the device is not in their possession.
The third mode is designed to lock the screen if the device remains offline for an extended period. This safeguard ensures that a phone taken off the grid cannot be easily accessed, adding another barrier for potential thieves.
Starting in July, these features will be available to Brazilian users with Android phones running version 10 or higher.
Google plans to gradually roll out the technology to other countries throughout the year.
The introduction of this technology is particularly pertinent in Brazil, where phone theft is a growing issue.
According to the 2023 Brazilian Public Security Yearbook, nearly 1 million cellphones were reported stolen in 2022, a 16.6% increase from the previous year.
In response to the rising thefts, the Brazilian government launched an app called Celular Seguro in December.
This app allows users to report stolen phones and block access to them via a trusted person’s device.
As of last month, around 2 million people had registered with the app, leading to the blocking of 50,000 phones, according to the Justice Ministry.
