Android 12 is bringing some important security features
Protecting your privacy will be one of the main reasons to upgrade
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Googleis doubling down on security and privacy enhancements inAndroid 12and when the next version of its mobile operating system launches this fall, users will be able to manually block access to some of the hardware sensors on their devices.
As reported by9To5Google, the latest version of Android includes a pair of new toggles that will allow users to prevent apps from accessing their smartphone’s microphone and camera.
The inclusion of these new toggles comes at a time when users have grown more concerned about their privacy and the fact that hackers could use the cameras, microphones and other sensors found on their devices tospy on them. This is why aftermarketwebcam covershave become so popular for laptops andLenovohas started adding itsThinkShutterautomatic webcam cover to more of its devices.
Privacy toggles
With the launch of Android 12, users will be able to quickly turn off access to their microphone and camera right from theoperating system’sQuick Settings menuwhich can be accessed by swiping down from the notifications menu.
Once enabled, these toggles will appear in the quick settings menu as icons that read “Block Camera” and “Mute Microphone”. When tapped, these toggles will entirely shut off access to either your device’s camera or microphone.
During its tests,9To5Googlefound that Android 12’s privacy toggles are not currently working with either system apps or third-party apps. For instance, with the “Block Camera” toggle active, the news outlet was still able to use their device’s native camera app and this was also the case when it tired to use the viewfinders inInstagramandTwitter. However, at least with those two third-party apps, a system prompt did appear saying they had to turn on the camera though it was still active in the background on the developer preview of Android 12 in testing.
We’ll likely hear more about the security and privacy enhancements that will be included in Android 12 once Google begins preparing for its official rollout which will likely happen in September of this year.
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Via9to5Google
After working with the TechRadar Pro team for the last several years, Anthony is now the security and networking editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and ransomware gangs to the best way to cover your whole home or business with Wi-Fi. When not writing, you can find him tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home.
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