safety feature Archives

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

Android scam protection pilot pauses screen sharing after opening bank apps

Android is rolling out enhanced scam protection features in the United States to combat sophisticated social engineering tactics. For users on calls with unrecognized numbers, Android 11 and later versions will activate a warning when screen sharing is enabled while accessing banking applications. This warning appears as a pop-up with a red "End call now" button, which also terminates the screen-sharing session. The alert introduces a 30-second delay before users can proceed, disrupting scammers' tactics that create urgency. Earlier this year, this feature was tested in the UK, helping thousands of users avoid financial losses. The initiative is being piloted in the US in collaboration with fintech companies and major banks.

AppWizard

November 13, 2025

Google will allow ‘experienced users’ to sideload unverified Android apps

Google has initiated a rollout of a new safety feature for developers distributing apps outside the Play Store, requiring them to verify their identities for sideloading capabilities. Currently, select developers are invited to participate in the early access phase through the Android Developer Console. Experienced users will still have the option to sideload unverified apps, and Google is developing an “advanced flow” to allow these users to accept the risks associated with installing unverified software. The company is soliciting feedback to refine the process and emphasizes user awareness with clear warnings about potential risks. Google aims to complicate malware distribution by requiring verified identities from developers. Widespread implementation of this verification requirement is not expected until late 2026.

AppWizard

October 7, 2025

Zoho’s Arattai messaging app needs to adopt THIS key WhatsApp security feature: Details inside

Arratai, an instant messaging app developed by Zoho, is rapidly gaining popularity as a Made in India alternative to WhatsApp, reaching the top of the social networking category on app stores. However, it lacks end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for text messaging, which could deter users concerned about message security. While E2EE is available for video and voice calls, the absence for text messaging raises privacy concerns. Zoho's co-founder Sridhar Vembu has reassured users about data privacy and has reported a significant increase in daily sign-ups from 3,000 to 350,000 in just three days. The app's branding as a spyware-free, made-in-India messaging platform is resonating with users, especially following endorsements from public figures and tech advocates. Despite its growth, Arratai is facing infrastructure challenges, including delayed one-time passwords (OTPs) and slower contact synchronization, which Zoho is working to address.

AppWizard

August 26, 2025

Google will block sideloading of unverified Android apps

Google has announced a new safety feature requiring developers to verify their identities before allowing Android users to sideload applications. This decision is based on an analysis showing that sideloaded apps have over 50 times more malware than those from the Google Play Store. Only apps from verified developers will be permitted for installation on certified Android devices. Google is developing a new Android Developer Console to facilitate this verification process. The rollout of this requirement will begin in late 2026 in Brazil, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand, with a global implementation to follow.

AppWizard

August 15, 2025

Google Messages can now blur nude images on Android

Google is rolling out Sensitive Content Warnings in its Messages app for Android, a feature that detects and blurs images containing nudity. This feature is available only to users signed into a Google Account. When an image is blurred, users can access a resource page, block the sender, return to the main screen, or choose to view the image. A warning will also appear when users attempt to send or forward a nude image, requiring acknowledgment before sending. For supervised users, such as minors, the feature is enabled by default, while unsupervised teens can disable it. Adults must opt in to use it. The feature processes images locally on the device, ensuring no identifiable data is sent to Google servers, although it may misclassify images or fail to detect nudity.