GoogleGoogle Android L OS will encrypt data by default to tackle snoopers and hackers

Google Android L OS will encrypt data by default to tackle snoopers and hackers

Google’s upcoming Android L OS version which is to be released in fall of 2014, will have encryption turned on by default to keep your data safe. You may think that Mountain View revealed this tidbit owing to all the recent security concerns following credit card hacks, celebrity photo leaks and government surveillance.

But Google has one more major reason on its mind and it has everything to do with Apple emphasizing on iOS 8 coming with encryption. If you feel law enforcement officials aren’t too happy about the development, you’re quite right. They’re grumbling about the difficulty this will pose against fighting crime.

Android L

With Android L OS having data encryption on by default, only those with knowledge of a device’s password will be able to access the content it contains, says PhoneDog who dug up this story through The Washington Post. It’s not like Google didn’t have such a security feature in place; it’s been around since 2011.

Now comes the bad news – it will be up to phone and tablet manufacturers to ensure customers receive Android L, and this may take years. Some just don’t bother pushing out upgrades once they’ve sold their products, while others take their own sweet time to do it. Apple has an easier job of it since new versions of iOS are available to all users simultaneously.

Also Read: Google’s Nexus not dead, 5.9-inch Motorola ‘Shamu’ may be Nexus 6

Those companies selling handsets under the Android One program will have Google itself directly beaming Android L to their customers at the same time. Android forks and user experience fragmentation have always been a big problem for the tech giant, though it’s got mid-range covered with its newly launched initiative and may give the high-end bracket Android Silver soon.

Apple has its mobile payments service to worry about and needs to make sure people trust it completely. With the launch of Android L in October, will Google have a better shot at convincing customers that it can offer a secure cashless future?

Related Articles

Latest Posts