Testing of Android 15’s automatic theft detection begins in Brazil

Google has begun testing Android 15’s automatic theft detection features, starting from Brazil. Smartphone theft is one of the major concerns in many countries including Brazil where approx. 2 phones get stolen per minute. That’s why Google tapped into Brazil as its initial ground for testing the automatic theft detection features it announced at the I/O conference last month.

Google begins testing of Android 15’s automatic theft detection feature in Brazil

The automatic anti-theft features fall under the umbrella of larger privacy and security improvements Google is planning with Android 15. Not to forget, there are some other features too like a password-locked vault which Google calls “private space.” The name itself speaks for its function, users can use it to keep their sensitive data safe and secure. However, the theft detection feature for Android that has undergone testing in Brazil as a part of Android 15 is a bit different.

The anti-theft detection feature has its Google-version name, the company terms it as “Theft Detection Lock.” So, you must be wondering what goes behind this security feature that tackles smartphone theft, right? First of all, the automatic theft detection feature uses Google’s AI. Using artificial intelligence, the new anti-theft feature detects if someone has snatched your phone from your hand. And, if the feature determines the movement associated with theft, it will immediately lock the device’s screen.

Different sensors in your Android smartphone help determine if there’s any theft attempt

One must be wondering how the automatic theft detection feature can detect all the movement and stuff. Well, all that is possible, thanks to different sensors in your Android smartphone like a gyroscope and accelerometer. Based on the changes in the smartphone’s positioning and motions, Google’s algorithm can predict that the device has been snatched.

That said, there’s another possibility to it as well. In addition to relying upon smartphone sensors, the feature can also detect theft attempts if someone tries to use the device in a different network altogether. Lastly, the new anti-theft feature is available for beta testing in Brazil.