2y ago

Android 14 introduces first-of-its-kind cellular connectivity security features - Google Security Blog

security.googleblog.com Android 14 introduces first-of-its-kind cellular connectivity security features

Posted by Roger Piqueras Jover, Yomna Nasser, and Sudhi Herle Android is the first mobile operating system to introduce advanced cellular...

Key points:

Android 14 introduces advanced cellular security measures, becoming the first OS to do so.
2G support can now be disabled in managed devices to counter security vulnerabilities associated with false base stations and downgrading attacks.
A new feature disables support for null-ciphered cellular connections, enhancing communication privacy.
Android 12 had already introduced a modem-level 2G disabling feature for Pixel 6 and other Android devices.
Android's efforts to enhance cellular security encompass collaborations with internal teams, academic groups, and industry standards bodies.

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2y ago

Android 14 introduces first-of-its-kind cellular connectivity security features

security.googleblog.com /2023/08/android-14-introduces-first-of-its-kind.html

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14 comments

This is handy. You have been able to disable 2G by dialing ##4636## > phone information for a while, but thats not well known
- Is there a downside to disabling 2G?
  
  Depending on where you live, 2G may be the only option in some places due to much better range than all other generations. Also while driving for example, your phone may need to connect to a 2G base temporarily if there is a gap between the range of the 5G ones, so you may get calls dropping randomly
  
  But it's worth noting that any emergency call that requires 2G to go through will still work.
  Emergency calls will use any network they can reach, even if you disable it.
  
  If somehow you are in a place with no better signal than 2G, you cannot make calls/send SMS if you cannot join 2G cells.
  But it is very rare to end up in such a situation these days.
  
  Noted, thanks!
  
  I would say there is. Many providers are disabling 3G nowadays and 5G is not available for all yet, so your phone essentially uses 2G and 4G. Now, imagine disabling 2G and calling someone on a moving vehicle...
  
  No major U.S. carrier gas used 2G for years. Well, at least Verizon and AT&T. Sprint did as well before merging with T-Mobile. That are shutting down 2G this year. So, not really a big deal.
  
  Sprint sold off their 2G infrastructure before Y2K.
  
  Huh, that's interesting. Then again the US networks differ from the rest of the world anyway.
  
  Which is why VoLTE is a thing. Well, unless you're on a custom ROM or something and VoLTE isn't working for you..
  
  Nope. As long as your phone is using VOLTE your fine. You can enable LTE/NR if you have a 5G phone or LTE only if its just an LTE device
  
  Thanks!

14 comments