Google announced new security and privacy features for Android including new protections for calls, screen sharing, messages, device access, and system-level permissions. With these features, Google aims to protect users from falling for a scam, keep their details secure in case a device is stolen or taken over by an attacker, and enhance device-level security for various attacks. Phone scammers often ask users to take actions like tapping on unsafe links or downloading unknown apps. In order to protect users, Google is blocking some actions and warning users of a potential scam while they are on a call with someone not in their contact list. For Android 16, these actions include side-loading an app for the first time from a web browser, messaging app, or other sources that have not been verified by Google, and granting accessibility permission to an app so that a scammer can take control of the device. The company is also preventing users running Android 6 or later from disabling Google Play Protect, which scans the device for harmful apps while they are on a call. Google is adding screen-sharing protection as well by reminding users to stop sharing the screen after a call ends. The company is also testing a new warning screen with select banks in the U.K. to prevent fraud through screen-sharing. When users on devices running Android 11 or later open a partner bank’s app while sharing a screen with an unknown number, the device will show a warning screen with a button to quickly end the screen-sharing. The company is adding new features to its Google Play Protect live detection program as well, which detect unsafe apps that have hidden or changed icons. The company said it is now applying a new set of on-device rules to catch more categories of malicious apps. The company said it is now applying a new set of on-device rules to catch more categories of malicious apps.