Google is testing Android 15’s automatic theft detection feature, which was announced at the I/O developer conference in May. Google chose Brazil as its first test area after users reported rampant mobile phone theft. If you happen to live in Brazil, you can sign up to try out the new feature now.
The “Theft Detection Lock” feature uses artificial intelligence to determine whether a phone’s shaking means a theft is in progress. In addition to relying on motion sensors, the feature can also detect other suspicious signs, such as someone trying to use the phone on a different network or if the phone is disconnected from the usual network for a long time.
Igeekphone notes that the theft detection feature is part of Android 15’s privacy and security improvement program, which also includes a password-locked vault called Private Space for storing sensitive apps and data. However, theft detection will be backward compatible with older versions of the system.
In addition to theft detection, Android users in Brazil will enjoy even more convenience. They can tap a dedicated button that appears in the merchant’s search results to send a message directly through WhatsApp. In addition, users can book services from local businesses such as doctors and beauticians directly in the search results. For now, both features are only available to users in Brazil.