Google’s Android OS already has a remote kill switch built in. If your handset is lost or stolen, you can do a number of things which include locking it, wiping it clean, making it ring, and sending the handset a message.
Now it looks like Google is looking to add another option to their Device Manager that will allow you to completely brick your device so that no one can use it.
New Bricking Feature
According to the guys over at Android Police, there will be a new bricking feature that will allow you to totally disable your device remotely. This means that the handset cannot be used by anyone else. The new bricking feature was recently discovered in the ASOP last week, and the feature will securely erase any partition on your device. This includes the recovery, boot, and bootloader.
The ability to brick a device remotely adds an extra layer of security for users who are concerned about their personal data falling into the wrong hands. While the existing remote kill switch can wipe data, the new bricking feature ensures that the device itself becomes completely unusable. This could be particularly useful in scenarios where sensitive information is stored on the device, and the owner wants to ensure that it cannot be accessed under any circumstances.
Implementation and Impact
As yet, there are no details on when this new bricking feature will be added to the remote kill switch on Android. However, the potential implications are significant. For instance, businesses that provide employees with company phones could use this feature to protect corporate data. Similarly, individuals who store sensitive personal information on their phones would have an added layer of security.
The introduction of this feature also raises questions about its potential misuse. For example, what safeguards will be in place to prevent someone from maliciously bricking another person’s device? It’s likely that Google will implement stringent verification processes to ensure that only the rightful owner can activate this feature.
Moreover, this feature could have a significant impact on the second-hand smartphone market. If a device can be bricked remotely, buyers will need to be more cautious and ensure that the device they are purchasing has not been reported lost or stolen. This could lead to the development of new verification services to check the status of a device before purchase.
As soon as we get more details, we will let you guys know.
Source Android Police, Phone Arena
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