The latest beta version of Android 16 has introduced a noteworthy enhancement: an API that allows applications to determine if users have opted into the Advanced Protection program. This program is designed to fortify account security by implementing a series of robust measures, including the prohibition of sideloading apps and other protective features.
Enhanced Security Features
For those who seek to safeguard their online data beyond the basic two-factor authentication, the Advanced Protection mode offers a streamlined solution. This feature simplifies the often convoluted landscape of security settings across various apps and services, allowing users to activate comprehensive protection with a single click.
Building on the foundation laid by Google’s Advanced Protection Program, which debuted in 2017, Android 16’s Advanced Protection mode adds several layers of security. Users are required to utilize a security key or passkey for Google account sign-ins, while potentially harmful files are blocked from being downloaded. Additionally, the installation of apps from sources outside the Google Play Store is disabled. The latest iteration further enhances these protections by disabling 2G connectivity and activating Memory Trust Execution (MTE) for compatible applications, thereby offering even greater security for users enrolled in the program.
The introduction of the AdvancedProtectionManager API is particularly significant. This feature enables applications to ascertain whether a user is enrolled in Advanced Protection, allowing them to adjust their security settings accordingly. For instance, an app like Signal could automatically activate its built-in screen lock and screenshot blocking features for users who have opted into the program. Prior to this API, users had to manually enable such features, which could be cumbersome and time-consuming.
While the AdvancedProtectionManager API is present in Android 16 Beta 2, it is important to note that users cannot yet enable the Advanced Protection mode. Simply enrolling in Google’s Advanced Protection Program does not synchronize with the operating system’s features at this stage. However, this will change with the forthcoming rollout of a dedicated “Advanced Protection” page within Google Play Services.
As Google prepares to implement this OS-level control, the focus will shift to how various applications leverage the new API. The success of Advanced Protection in achieving its goal of providing one-click security will largely depend on the support it receives from app developers. Nonetheless, the introduction of these new security features in Android 16 is a promising step toward enhancing user protection against scams and cyber threats.
