According to reports, Google is actively developing mechanisms to scan and identify phishing apps on Android smartphones.
Google has consistently enhanced Android with various security and privacy features, and there are reports suggesting that the tech giant is actively working on incorporating support for identifying phishing apps to enhance user protection. This anticipated feature is expected to be introduced in a future update to the Android operating system. The new functionality aims to scrutinize app behavior for deceptive practices, specifically focusing on phishing activities. Notably, the phishing app detection service is set to operate locally on Android phones, with certain detection-related details utilized to warn other users about similar threats.
Android Police has reported that a forthcoming feature, labeled as “scanning for deceptive apps,” is currently in development. References to this functionality have been identified in the second Android 14 QPR2 beta version, recently released to testers. The publication has uncovered specifics about this feature within the More security & privacy sub-menu located in the Security & privacy section of the Settings app.
According to the report, Google is planning to introduce a system service designed to scan apps that present users with a password field. While legitimate apps commonly request users to input their passwords, phishing scams employ deceptive websites or apps to trick users into divulging their passwords. However, it remains uncertain whether the system will conduct phishing scans on all apps or solely on unfamiliar ones.
Recently identified in the second Android 14 QPR2 beta version is another feature in development known as ‘Private Space.’ This feature enables users to conceal apps from others, creating a secure area for hiding and locking apps and files. Interestingly, it might also enable users to discreetly utilize the locking functionality by requiring them to type “private space” in the search bar on the app drawer.
Although Samsung has offered a similar feature through its Secure Folder since 2017, the introduction of the Private Space feature to Android could potentially make this functionality universally available to all Android OEMs. Google’s upcoming feature has the potential to extend this capability to billions of Android devices.