News
Google introduces advanced theft protection features for android devices
In a bid to combat phone theft and protect users’ sensitive data, Google on Tuesday in Lagos announced new advanced theft protection features for Android devices in Africa and around the world.
The announcement is contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by Mrs Oluwaseun Odufuwa, Account Manager, Irvine Partners.
The features, which are now available on most Android 10+ devices, use AI-powered theft detection, offline device lock, and enhanced security features to safeguard users’ devices and data.
“Phone theft is a serious concern in many countries across Africa, including South Africa, a situation where a phone is stolen will highlights the need for better phone theft solutions.
“Advanced theft protection features are now available to users around the world through Android 15 and a Google Play Services update on Android ten plus devices.
“Smartphone usage is on the rise in Sub-Saharan Africa, with adoption rates reaching 61 per cent in Kenya, 31 per cent in Uganda, and 24-25 per cent in Rwanda and Burundi.
“This increased uptake has been accompanied by a rise in cell-phone theft, as these devices become attractive targets for criminals due to their resale value and sensitive data within.
“This poses a significant challenge that can have serious consequences for both individuals and businesses in the region,” Odufuwa quoted Google to have stated.
According to Google, phone theft has raised a need for serious concern in Africa, in most cases of theft; the new feature will highlights solutions which it aims to achieve.
“The AI-powered theft detection feature uses on-device machine learning to detect potential theft attempts and lock the screen to prevent unauthorised access.
“The offline device lock feature protects data even when the device is offline, while the enhanced security features make it harder for thieves to access sensitive settings and data.
“According to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA) Consumer Survey 2023, 19% of mobile phone users in South Africa experienced theft or loss of their device in the past year.
“The GSMA reports millions of devices stolen every year, and the numbers continue to grow.
“With our phones becoming increasingly more valuable and central to storing sensitive data, like payment information and personal details, losing one can be an unsettling experience,” it said.
Google has also announced that it will be launching an opt-in feature called Identity Check later this year, which will require biometric authentication when accessing critical Google account and device settings.
The new features are part of Google’s efforts to provide real-world protection for Android users and make Android devices less appealing targets for thieves.
“Phone theft can be a traumatic experience, but there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk and protect personal information.
“That is why we have developed and thoroughly beta tested, a full suite of features designed to protect you and your data at every stage – before, during and after device theft.
“Theft detection lock uses powerful AI to proactively protect you at the moment of a theft attempt, by using on-device machine learning, theft detection lock is able to analyse various device signals to detect potential theft attempts.
“If the algorithm detects a potential theft attempt on your unlocked device, it locks your screen to keep thieves out, to protect your sensitive data if your phone is stolen; Theft Detection Lock uses device sensors to identify theft attempts.
“To enable the new theft protection features on your Android device, follow these steps, go to your device’s settings, scroll down and select “Security”, Select theft protection and enable the features.
The features are available on most Android 10+ devices via a Google Play Services update,” it says.
This feature is rolling out gradually to ensure compatibility with various devices, starting with Android devices that cover 90% of active users worldwide.
The statement urged Android users to always check the theft protection settings page periodically to see if the device is currently supported.
In addition to theft detection lock, Google says that the offline device lock also protects the phone.
“If thieves try to take your device offline to extract data or avoid a remote wipe via Android’s find my device the new feature will protect it.
“If an unlocked device goes offline for prolonged periods, this feature locks the screen to ensure your phone can’t be used in the hands of a thief.
“If your Android device is lost or stolen, remote lock can quickly help you secure it.
“Even if you can’t remember your Google account credentials in the moment of theft, you can use any device to visit Android.com/lock and lock your phone with just a verified phone number.
“Remote Lock secures your device while you regain access through Android’s Find My Device – which lets you secure, locate or remotely wipe your device.
“As a security best practice, we always recommend backing up your device on a continuous basis, so remotely wiping your device is not an issue,” it stated.
The statement noted that the features are now available on most Android ten plus devices via Google Play Services update and must be enabled in settings.
“Android 15 introduces new security features to deter theft before it happens by making it harder for thieves to access sensitive settings, apps, or reset your device for resale.
“Changes to sensitive settings like Find My Device now require your PIN, password, or biometric authentication.
“Multiple failed login attempts, which could be a sign that a thief is trying to guess your password, will lock down your device, preventing unauthorized access.
“Enhanced factory reset protection makes it even harder for thieves to reset your device without your Google account credentials, significantly reducing its resale value and protecting your data,” it says.
The statement disclosed that it will launch Identity Check later in the year
“An opt-in feature that will add an extra layer of protection by requiring biometric authentication when accessing critical Google account and device settings, like changing your PIN, disabling theft protection, or accessing passkeys from an untrusted location.
“This helps prevent unauthorised access even if your device PIN is compromised.
“These theft protection features are just one example of how Android is working to provide real-world protection for everyone.
“We are dedicated to working with our partners around the world to continuously improve Android security and help you and your data stay safe.
“You can turn on the new Android theft features by clicking here on a supported Android device, learn more about our theft protection features by visiting our help centre,” the state said.(NAN)
A fire on Wednesday evening caused extensive damage at the popular phone village in Challenge market, Ilorin, Kwara state.
The fire, which started around 9:06pm, was believed to have been triggered by a power surge.
The market, which houses over 120 shops, 80 kiosks, and numerous stands, saw 10 kiosks reportedly affected.
In a statement on Thursday, Hassan Adekunle, spokesperson for the Kwara state fire service, said the conflagration primarily affected phone stores and repair shops.
“Our fire crew promptly mobilised and arrived at the scene to find several shops engulfed in flames,” he said.
“The market comprises over 120 shops, 80 kiosks, and numerous stands. Through swift intervention, professionalism, and tactical expertise, our team successfully curtailed the spread of the fire, limiting its impact to only 10 kiosks.
“The affected areas were primarily phone stores and repair shops. Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire was caused by a power surge.
“Traders and market stakeholders commended the Kwara State Fire Service for their rapid response and effectiveness in saving the market from widespread destruction.”
Falade Olumuyiwa, director of the state fire service, expressed sympathy to the market leadership and affected traders.
Olumuyiwa also prayed that all losses suffered would be divinely restored.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, on Wednesday, announced the interception of contraband items worth over N921 billion as the service intensifies enforcement operations at the nation’s ports.
The items included expired food items, unregistered pharmaceutical products and controlled security equipment.
Adeniyi during a press briefing at the Apapa Command of the service said that the seizures were made between January and April.
According to him, the seizures also involved 11 separate interdictions.
He said the prohibited items included five 40-foot containers, two 20-foot containers and four seizures of loosely concealed contraband.
The CG also gave updates on the rollout of the Customs Unified Management Information System, known as B’Odogwu, describing the pilot phase at PTML and Tin Can Island Port as crucial.
He explained that his earlier visits to PTML and Tin Can that morning, before arriving at Apapa, were to gain firsthand insights of challenges faced by stakeholders with the new digital platform.
He admitted that while the B’Odogwu rollout was ambitious and necessary, the service was fully aware that initial implementation would have some hiccups.
“We are not pretending that when we roll out a very serious project of that magnitude that there will be no hitches,” he said.
He added that Customs was approaching the situation with flexibility and innovation, holding stakeholder and bank engagements to address the hiccups in the system’s deployment.
Adeniyi also explained measures towards strengthening enforcement at the Apapa Command, in line with the national strategic economic development plan and executive orders on port operations.
He said the Command had scaled up surveillance across seaports, airports, and land borders in response to evolving tactics by transnational criminal networks attempting to breach the country’s import protocols.
He raised alarm over the rising influx of unregistered pharmaceutical products, particularly sexual enhancement drugs into the Nigerian market, warning that such items posed threat to public health and safety.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that unregistered medicines lacking mandatory certification from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) were seized.
Other items seized included expired margarine products, and restricted security gadgets including drones and telecommunication devices without end-user certificates from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The seizures included 89 cartons of unregistered pharmaceutical products in container CAAU6514500, 242 cartons in container TCNU6880130, and 1,001 cartons of hydra-sildenafil citrate tablets in container MRSU3041714.
Another 40-footer container was found to contain 1,400 packages of various unregistered drugs, while a fifth had 805 packages falsely declared as cosmetic powder.
The service also intercepted two 20ft containers, GCNU1367992 and GCNU1372704, containing expired margarine products.
Additionally, 60 units of warrior drones without valid end-user certificates were recovered from container MSKU9329923, valued at N15.9 million.
Another 53 helicopter drones, evacuated from a container marked CFAX3, carried an estimated duty-paid value of N2.1 million.
Ten professional FM transceiver walkie-talkies were also confiscated from ENL, while a 20ft container (SUDU1408819) was found to contain 500 packages of active medicine tablets lacking NAFDAC certification.
Adeniyi disclosed that the analysis of these seizures revealed five key smuggling trends.
According to him, first was the disturbing proliferation of sexual enhancement drugs, as five of the 11 containers seized were laden with variants of sildenafil citrate and other related substances.
The CG warned that the indiscriminate use of these drugs without medical supervision could lead to serious health complications, including cardiovascular risks.
He said a second trend was a growing pattern of misdeclaration, with importers labeling pharmaceuticals as general merchandise or cosmetics in an attempt to evade detection.
According to him, two containers had pharmaceutical products concealed beneath skin creams.
He noted a third trend is the diversification of contraband shipments, with importers mixing pharmaceuticals, expired food, and restricted technology items in a single container.
This, he said, suggested the involvement of sophisticated criminal networks rather than isolated smugglers.
He said the fourth trend was the strategic selection of countries with weaker pharmaceutical export controls, indicating a deliberate attempt to exploit regulatory loopholes.
He identified the last trend of increasing importation of non-pharmaceutical security threats, including drones and communication gadgets, which raised significant concerns for national security.
The CG emphasized that the seizures were not isolated efforts but part of a broader enforcement drive that had seen the service record 22 narcotics-related interceptions in the first quarter of 2025 alone.
He added that the seizures accounted for a duty-paid value of N730 billion, representing 34.6 percent increase when compared to the same period in 2024.
He credited the results to the service’s intelligence-led enforcement strategy and collaboration with regulatory agencies like NAFDAC, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency and Office of the National Security Adviser.
Adeniyi warned that the service would not relent in its commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders and protecting the lives of its citizens.
He commended officers and men of the Apapa Command for their vigilance and professionalism, urging stakeholders within the international trade ecosystem to comply strictly with import regulations.
Concluding the briefing, the CG declared a restricted area around the five containers carrying dangerous pharmaceutical materials, urging all present to maintain a safe distance to avoid any risk of exposure.
He urged the public to remain alert and make use of confidential channels to report suspicious imports, emphasising that collective vigilance would curb the growing threat of organised transnational smuggling. (NAN)
Organised Labour has appealed to the Federal Government not to compress the civic space by restricting citizens from freely expressing themselves.
President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero, made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja, at the 2025 Pre – May Day Lecture, organised by the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the lecture has the theme, “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship” .
Ajaero stressed the need for government to open up the civil space to enable workers and unions to freely express themselves in line with democracy tenets.
He assured that the labour movement would continue to talk truth to power and fight for the rights of Nigerians.
Prof. Christopher Chukwuma from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, while delivering the keynote address called for the review of laws restricting, criminalising civic engagements in the country.
Chukwuma, a Professor of International law said it was imperative to review the Cybercrime Act and the Public Order Act, which, according to him, are restricting and criminalising civic engagement .
He said that the civic space was essential for the functioning of democratic processes.(NAN)