Android users must download important update now after 11 bugs are found – half are classed as ‘critical’ or ‘high’ risk

By Millie Turner, Senior Technology & Science Reporter

Android 15, Google’s biggest software update of the year, is expected to haul in six new privacy and security features, such as:

Malicious app blocking – Which stops scammers from using an overlay on an app icon to disguise it as another, more legitimate, application.

Private space – Which lets users create a separate space on their device where they can keep sensitive apps under a passcode, or bio-authentication like Face ID.

Partial screen record & sharing – Means you don’t have to show the contents of your entire screen while screen recording or sharing.

Theft Detection Lock – If the device detects that someone has stolen it and tries to run, bike, or drive away, your phone senses that motion and should immediately lock the screen.

The feature will also automatically lock the device if it detects suspicious activity, like constant attempts to disconnect your phone or various failed log-in attempts.

AI in Play Protect – Artificial intelligence (AI) is being deployed in Google’s Play Protect antivirus feature to scan and flag suspicious behaviour.

Hidden notifications – Messages containing one-time passwords (OTPs), which are used in two-factor authentication, will be hidden from the notifications system, making it harder to intercept them.

The features intend to make sure that your images, conversations and banking apps remain for your eyes only.

But as this month’s security patch signals, gaps in the cyber net can and do emerge.

While Google is pretty quick to fix issues as they arise, the upcoming Android 15 features can act as an extra line of defence.

Features like Private Spaces and Hidden Notifications mean that, even if hackers do access an Android device, there are other hurdles to stop them snooping on sensitive material.