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Thursday, Jan 22, 2026
Outside the box.
Google Tests Anti-Theft AI for Phones in Brazil
Google is testing a new AI-powered anti-theft feature in Brazil for Android phones. This feature uses AI to lock stolen phones and offers remote and automatic locking options. Brazilian users with Android 10 or higher can use these features starting in July, aiming to curb the country's rising phone theft issue.
Alphabet's Google has initiated its first AI-powered anti-theft feature test in Brazil for Android phones.
This feature employs artificial intelligence to identify if a phone has been stolen and subsequently locks the device's screen.
Users will have three options: AI detection of theft movements, remote screen locking via another device, and automatic locking when disconnected from the internet for an extended period.
Starting in July, Brazilian Android users with version 10 or higher can access these features, with plans to expand globally within the year.
The initiative addresses Brazil's increasing phone theft problem, where cellphone thefts surged by 16.6% in 2022.
To tackle this, Brazil launched the Celular Seguro app in December for reporting and blocking stolen phones.
The app has registered around 2 million users and blocked 50,000 phones so far.
This feature employs artificial intelligence to identify if a phone has been stolen and subsequently locks the device's screen.
Users will have three options: AI detection of theft movements, remote screen locking via another device, and automatic locking when disconnected from the internet for an extended period.
Starting in July, Brazilian Android users with version 10 or higher can access these features, with plans to expand globally within the year.
The initiative addresses Brazil's increasing phone theft problem, where cellphone thefts surged by 16.6% in 2022.
To tackle this, Brazil launched the Celular Seguro app in December for reporting and blocking stolen phones.
The app has registered around 2 million users and blocked 50,000 phones so far.
