Android 16 update is almost here but Google seems heavily focused on protecting people against message scams, UPI scam and more. The company has been gradually bringing tools that alert you about scamsters trying to target your email ID or number. Android 16 takes these measures to a whole new level so that you don’t have to worry about talking to a cheat or answering to messages from dangerous links.

People have lost crores because of these scams, inadvertently sending money to scammers because of how they are deceived into these scams. Google is bringing 5 tools with Android 16 update that promise to tackle the scam and spam menace.  

5 Tools Coming To Android 16 To Protect Against Scams 

Scam Call Protection 

Scam calls have become a menace, not only because of how they target innocent victims and get them to share private information and access to their device. The new tool will ensure that hackers are never able to disable the Play protect feature that allows them to install malicious apps. Sideloading is another major issue that scammers try to exploit and using this call protection tool you won’t have to worry. 

More importantly, it will block you from sharing screen with unknown callers which gives them an easy route to gather confidential information. The feature runs on-device so your data is never sent to a server. 

Stop Scam In Messages 

SMSs have been the obvious route for these scams, where the attacker can plant links to malicious websites or make you download apps through other sources. Google says Android 16 will get a new way to alert the user with a big pop-up box that raises suspicion about the content and the sender of the message. Google is extending the scam alert to work for technical support, ads, lottery prizes and more. 

Google Play App Protection 

Google is making it hardware for malicious apps to bypass its security checks. The Play Protect feature stops you from installing apps via other sources or sideloading. And now the company is changing the dynamics of its spam detection and warning people before they install the dangerous app on their device. 

Warning Against Fake Cell Towers 

Android 16 is also getting advanced security tools like alerting the users if they are connected to a fake cell tower. This is linked to the recent Stingray attacks that got its targets routed through a fake tower which allowed the hacker to gain complete access to the device. The feature will be available for free with the latest Android 16 update but you will need the latest smartphone models to get it working for now. 

Advanced Protection 

The other important feature coming with Android 16 is advanced protection which is there to help you tackle possible online scams, and possible intrusion by malicious apps. It will warn users when they try to open an unsafe website and more.