During its Android 16 announcement yesterday, Google revealed new privacy and security features. They are designed to save users, especially high-risk individuals, from frauds and scams. They will likely come to Galaxy phones and tablets with the Android 16-based One UI 8.0 update.

Google has implemented more security features in Android 16 and brought older security measures under the Advanced Protection Program section. Together, these features and improvements are designed to save people, especially journalists and high-ranking officials, from frauds and scams. They features will co-exist with existing Remote Lock and Theft Detection Lock features.

When the Advanced Protection Program is enabled, all the privacy and security features in the section are turned on by default. And they can't be turned off easily, as doing that requires user credentials. Some of the security features will only be available for Google apps at first and then expand to third-party apps.

Android 16 has secure device logs that can't be edited. It means you can have a look at them to know if someone tried to meddle with your phone's data or settings.

During calls, Android 16 blocks risky actions, such as installing unverified apps from the web browser, file manager, or messaging apps. You can't turn off Google Play Protect or grant permissions that allow an app to take control of the phone's critical settings. These are usually the ways fraudsters and scammers use.

Moreover, Google has elevated the security of banking apps. During calls with screen sharing, Android 16 will ask you to end the call to open banking apps. The company is currently working with select UK banks, including Monzo, NatWest and Revolut, to implement this feature.

The company is also using AI to keep an eye on apps that perform malicious activities on the device, such as hiding the app icon or change it. Android 16 uses AI to filter out scam and spam messages and constantly scans the device for text or binary patterns to spot possible malware.

Google is also making it impossible to sell stolen phones by improving hardening Factory Reset protections. It will restrict all functionalities on devices that are possibly stolen and reset without the owner's authorization. With the Remote Lock feature, users will gain a security challenge question, preventing thieves from making unauthorized actions. One-time passwords will also be hidden from notifications so they can't log into your critical accounts.