The introduction of Android 16 includes a noteworthy security feature aimed at increasing user awareness of potential surveillance tactics. This latest operating system version will alert users when their devices connect to insecure or suspicious mobile networks, including those generated by fake cell towers. These deceptive towers, often referred to as stingrays or cell-site simulators, can trick nearby phones into connecting and allow attackers to gather sensitive information such as IMEI numbers or compel phones to revert to vulnerable networks like 2G. Such tactics enable attackers to intercept unencrypted calls and texts.
While stingrays are sometimes utilized by law enforcement, they can also fall into the hands of malicious hackers. Google has made strides in combating these threats over recent Android updates. With Android 12, users were given the capability to disable 2G support. Android 14 introduced protections against unencrypted network connections, while Android 15 implemented functionalities to detect when a network seeks access to a phone’s unique identifiers or attempts to alter encryption settings.
However, these features depend on specific modem support, which has left some devices, including certain Pixel models, unable to take advantage of them. Android 16 addresses this issue with a dedicated “Mobile network security” settings page nestled in the Safety Center. This page features two key functionalities: network notifications, which inform users when their device connects to an unencrypted network or when a network requests identifiers, and a 2G network protection option that allows users to disable 2G support entirely. Both features are off by default and will only show if the device hardware supports them, meaning existing Pixel models may not display this new settings page, but forthcoming devices such as the Pixel 10 likely will.
Alerts will appear in the notification panel when connections shift from encrypted to unencrypted networks, logging attempts to access device identifiers. This is a significant enhancement for Android users, especially considering that Apple does not provide a similar real-time warning system about fake cell towers. While Apple offers some protections in collaboration with carriers, these settings are often difficult for users to navigate. This update marks a meaningful step toward improving user privacy for Android devices.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of this feature will depend on broader adoption of the necessary hardware by phone manufacturers.