Android's new anti-theft features (blog.google)
from funn@lemy.lol to privacy@lemmy.ml on 16 May 2024 12:16
https://lemy.lol/post/25062080

cross-posted from: lemy.lol/post/25062075

#privacy

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sem@lemmy.ml on 16 May 2024 16:22 next collapse

Automatic AI-powered screen lock for when your phone is snatched. Theft Detection Lock is a powerful new feature that uses Google AI to sense if someone snatches your phone from your hand and tries to run, bike or drive away.

Does it mean, that “Google AI” will running 24/7 in background, measuring how I use my phone, with an access to accelerometers data and location data?

muhyb@programming.dev on 16 May 2024 16:48 next collapse

Always had been.

funn@lemy.lol on 16 May 2024 19:21 collapse

Came here to say that

TheAnonymouseJoker@lemmy.ml on 17 May 2024 15:19 next collapse

To me, it sounds like it will just need accelerometer sensor to detect tracking. My non root smartphone guide has already advised for a couple years to deploy and configure the Private Lock app from F-Droid to prevent data access for phone snatchers. It is FOSS, does not require trusting Google and Just Works™.

jjlinux@lemmy.ml on 17 May 2024 15:39 collapse

I also added that to my wife’s phone, but “inadvertently” wink set the sensitivity to 5. I had quite a laugh that first day.

Private lock just works, and needs Google like I need hangovers.

TheAnonymouseJoker@lemmy.ml on 17 May 2024 17:45 collapse

Set it to 1, her anger might be enough to keep locking it :p

Jokes aside, gauge it properly to avoid accidental locks, as using the PIN while in public can cause security issues against shoulder peeking toms. Glad that it was of help. It works well, enjoy using it. BTW did you note that from my guide?

possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip on 19 May 2024 05:00 collapse

Google already does that

Scolding0513@sh.itjust.works on 16 May 2024 18:19 next collapse

All of the biggest surveillance tracking was under the guise of anti-theft. Lojack, Intel ME anti theft, etc

“It’s for your own good. trust us, we promise it’s only for good stuff”

funn@lemy.lol on 16 May 2024 19:22 next collapse

Ya, kinda feel that. I mean Apple has the best anti theft features,yet they are stolen regularly 😔

TheAnonymouseJoker@lemmy.ml on 17 May 2024 15:21 next collapse

Apple’s features are a joke. What Google has is better, and what they are doing now is magnitudes better. It was already done 5 years ago on Android, though, by a FOSS app.

AtariDump@lemmy.world on 21 May 2024 05:10 collapse

But what good is a stolen locked iPhone?

Screen for parts and that’s about it.

moreeni@lemm.ee on 17 May 2024 13:13 collapse

Do you have proofs that Intel ME was actually used for tracking?

Scolding0513@sh.itjust.works on 17 May 2024 23:00 collapse

😂😂 found one of 'em

moreeni@lemm.ee on 19 May 2024 13:04 collapse

😂😂 this is all very funny, bud, but if you make such assumptions without proofs you will quickly go insane.

Inel ME is ridiculously complex for the goal of collecting telemetry. Intel uses drivers for that purpose.

ME is likely used for security. Not yours, though:

  1. Security of the company, for example, when someone decides to steal large amount of CPUs or something like that. We’ve seen something similar when a South African shop was robbed of Samsung TVs, which were remotely disabled.
  2. National security. Obviously, should a great war break out that would directly confront NATO, the US would be quick to pressure Intel into remotely messing with enemy country’s computers.
Scolding0513@sh.itjust.works on 19 May 2024 19:43 collapse

cope, but also seethe. dilate, even.

QuazarOmega@lemy.lol on 16 May 2024 23:02 next collapse

How about you let me save the application data for myself and keep it secure on my equipment first, Google? Uff, going through the salvaging process of the data on my near-broken phone is being the most excruciating thing I’ve done recently because they just won’t let you access and save it unless you rely on their cloud… which I might eventually just do, just wished it’d at least be a 100% safe way to get everything, but no, they had to put the decision to be backed up into the applications’ hands ;-;

autonomoususer@lemmy.world on 16 May 2024 22:07 collapse

Best libre replacements?

jjlinux@lemmy.ml on 17 May 2024 15:41 collapse

f-droid.org/packages/com.wesaphzt.privatelock/

@TheAnonymouseJoker@lemmygrad.ml mentioned it.

possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip on 19 May 2024 04:59 collapse

It has been abandoned for about 5 years so I wouldn’t use it. Also obligatory lemmygrad complaint.

jjlinux@lemmy.ml on 19 May 2024 05:21 collapse

It does only 1 thing and does it well. Has absolutely no connection (Wi-Fi, data, BT). How is that dangerous? I genuinely don’t know, which is why I’m asking.

possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip on 19 May 2024 05:41 collapse

There is no one to find and fix security holes. Also it requires a not of privileges so if something goes wrong you are in trouble.

It is not as big of deal when it is something trivial like a game. The problem is when it is controlling critical system functions with high levels of permissions