Google Prepares Identity Check Features To Prevent Data Theft, Similar To Apple Features

JAKARTA Google is reportedly preparing a new feature that will make Android phones more secure from data theft, even if thieves find out about PIN or key screen patterns. This feature called Identity Check will force users to use biometrics (such as fingerprints or face scanners) to open certain apps when the phone is outside a trusted location. This move is inspired by Apple's Stolen Device Protection.

The main security system on a smartphone is a key screen, which is usually protected by PIN, pattern, or password. However, the thief's scenario that peeks when the user enters a PIN and then takes the phone into a serious threat.

In this case, many applications remain accessible because Android biometric systems currently often provide fallback options in the form of PIN or patterns, meaning personal data such as messages, photos, and banking applications can be easily accessed by thieves.

Reporting from a report of Misshaal Rahman, this feature was discovered in the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 update, which shows that Google is working to address such weaknesses. Rahman found that the Settings app on Android 15 QPR1 has a new string called mandatory_biometrics_prompt_description which states "Identity Check is on." This feature removes fallback options like PIN or patterns when the phone is outside of locations that the system already trusts.

The Identity Check feature will be activated when the phone is outside trusted locations or trusted locations, such as the user's home. When outside this location, the phone will force biometric use without providing a fallback option in the form of a PIN, pattern, or password.

This is similar to the system Apple uses on their iPhone, where the Stolen Device Protection feature requires biometric authentication to access passwords or credit cards when the device is outside a known location.

The Frequent contributor to the Android Authority, AssembleDebug, revealed through a screenshot on platform X (formerly Twitter) that this feature will also be integrated with Google Play Services to track mobile phones outside trusted locations and trigger mandatory biometrics.

With the presence of the Identity Check feature, Google hopes to provide better protection for Android users, especially from the threat of data theft. This feature will secure users' personal data from theft, even though thieves know how to unlock cell phones.

Although there is no official launch schedule yet, this feature is expected to begin to be introduced in the Android 15 QPR1 update or higher, given that this feature involves core changes in the way the system handles biometric prompts.

With the growing digital security threat, the Identity Check feature is expected to be a significant step in protecting Android user data, making mobile phones safer from increasingly sophisticated data theft.