What is Android Safe Browsing feature and how will it work
This feature is designed to notify users of threats to their devices that can compromise security. Rahman explains that the feature uses the SafetyNet Safe Browsing API, which gives apps the ability to determine if a URL has been designated as a known threat by Google.
Once this feature is enabled, Android devices will notify users to warn them before it opens a potentially dangerous link. For example, users may get an alert if they tap a link in their news app that would take them to a known phishing site.
Rahman also noted that users should be able to toggle the feature on Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones within the security and privacy settings.
Google’s “Android Safe Browsing” page will also let users see which apps support the feature and will offer a toggle called “live threat protection” which will enable “more accurate threat detection.”
According to a report by Android Police, the Android Safe Browsing
is not a new feature and has been in development for months. The report claims that the feature appeared in a beta version of Google Play Services in October 2023. Another tipster named Nail Sadykov of the Google News Telegram channel revealed a previously hidden page that shows details related to safe browsing settings.
The SafetyNet Safe Browsing API will not only allow Android devices to tap into Google’s library of threats but will also be able to conserve battery, limit bandwidth usage and maintain user privacy along the way. The API is essentially what helps Android devices connect with Google’s threat detection network.
Apart from this, Google has also developed other safety features for Android users. For example, the Google Play Protect now claims to scan sideloaded apps for potential threats upon being downloaded.
In case, one of these apps contains malware, Android stops the download process and removes it from the device in real time. This can be helpful for users who prefer to use apps that are not listed in the Google Play Store.
