Google working on testing new anti-theft feature powered by AI for phones in Brazil

Alphabet’s Google announced that Brazil will be the first country to test a new anti-theft feature for Android phones that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to detect theft and lock the device’s screen.

This innovative feature comes in response to the rising issue of phone theft in Brazil. According to according to the Brazilian Public Security Yearbook of 2023, nearly 1 million cell phones were reported stolen in 2022. That marks a 16.6 per cent increase from the previous year.

The initial test phase will offer three types of locking mechanisms. The first uses AI developed by Google to detect movements typically associated with theft, automatically locking the screen when such movements are identified.

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The second feature allows users to lock their device remotely by entering their phone number and completing a security challenge from another device. The third mode involves automatically locking the screen if the device remains without internet access for an extended period.

Brazilian Android users whose phones have Android version 10 or higher starting will have access to these features starting July. Google plans to gradually roll out these features to users in other countries throughout the year.

This phased rollout indicates a cautious approach to ensure the system’s reliability and effectiveness before a broader launch.

In addition to Google’s new anti-theft features, the Brazilian government has introduced its own measures to combat phone theft. In December, the government launched the Celular Seguro app, which enables users to report a stolen phone and block access to it using another trusted device.

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The app has seen significant adoption, with around 2 million registered users and 50,000 phones blocked as of the previous month, according to the Justice Ministry.

These efforts underscore the importance of technological solutions in addressing the widespread issue of phone theft in Brazil.

By combining Google’s advanced AI capabilities with governmental initiatives like Celular Seguro, there is hope for a substantial reduction in the number of stolen phones and enhanced security for users in Brazil and beyond.