Google’s cell working system Android will now robotically reboot if the cellphone is locked for 3 days in a row.
On Monday, the tech large pushed updates to Google Play services, a core a part of Android that gives functionalities for apps and the working system itself. Listed beneath “Safety & Privateness” is a brand new safety characteristic that, “will robotically restart your machine if locked for 3 consecutive days.”
Final yr, Apple rolled out the identical characteristic for iOS. The pondering behind including an computerized reboot after a sure interval of inactivity is to make life harder for somebody who’s making an attempt to unlock or extract knowledge from a cellphone; for instance, legislation enforcement utilizing a forensic evaluation machine like these made by Cellebrite or Magnet Forensics.
Earlier than a cellphone is switched on and unlocked, sure knowledge saved inside is absolutely encrypted and tougher to entry with out the consumer’s passcode. This is called the “Earlier than First Unlock” state. As soon as unlocked, then again, some knowledge will get decrypted and might doubtlessly be accessed by bruteforcing the passcode or profiting from safety flaws, which is usually how legislation enforcement forensic units work. This state is called “After First Unlock.”
Google didn’t reply to a request for remark, asking what was the motivation behind this new characteristic.