Android 16 will flag fake cell towers and warn users of potential spying threats

For a feature to work, certain requirements need to be met.

With its latest update, Android is taking precautions when it comes to cellular security.

The Android 16 update now includes a feature that can tell you if you’re connecting to a fake mobile network, which is used to steal your private data.

A “stingray” attack happens when an attacker sets up a device that can imitate a cell tower, tricking people into connecting to it. This is when an attacker collects unique identifiers (for example, IMEI), causing them to follow older and more insecure communication protocols.

The identifiers allow attackers to target devices, while switching protocols allows them to intercept unencrypted messages and calls, reports Android Authority.

When not used by law enforcement, these devices can be used with malicious intent to spy on regular people.

For this reason, Google introduced a new feature to prevent Android users from connecting to these insecure cellular networks.

“Mobile network security” feature is available in the Safety Center under Settings, according to Android.

For the feature to work, it requires the latest hardware and smartphones equipped with modems that support Android Radio HAL 3.0. It’s available only on smartphones that have the Android 16 software update.