Android alert: Over 1 billion phones at risk of hacking, warns Google

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Google has issued a serious security warning for Android users worldwide. The company has clarified that smartphones running Android 12 or older will no longer receive any new security updates. This means that such phones have become extremely vulnerable to malware, spyware, and cyberattacks. According to estimates, approximately one billion Android users worldwide have been exposed to this risk.

If a user's phone is unable to update to Android 13 or newer, Google has advised replacing the device.

Security patches halted with Android 12

Google has confirmed that no new security patches will be released for Android 12 and older versions. According to the latest data, only about 57.9 percent of Android devices are running Android 13 or higher, while the rest of the phones have been "frozen" in terms of security.

Experts say that most smartphones launched in 2021 or earlier are affected by this issue. Now, new vulnerabilities discovered in these devices won't be officially fixed, increasing the risk of hacking and data theft exponentially.

Android Fragmentation Has Become a Major Problem

Updates to the Android platform aren't solely Google's responsibility. Companies like Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and Motorola operate on their own update schedules. Many brands stop providing phone updates after 2–3 years. This problem is known as Android Fragmentation, where different versions continue to run concurrently for extended periods of time.

In contrast, Apple maintains complete control over both the hardware and software of its iPhones, allowing even older iPhone models to continue receiving updates for years. This difference in Android increases security risks.

How users can stay safe:

Android phones without security updates can become easy targets for malware, spyware, and advanced cyber exploits. Such attacks can steal usernames and passwords. Data from banking and UPI apps can be leaked. OTPs and SMS can be intercepted.

While Google Play Protect still offers malware scanning on Android 7 and above, it's not a substitute for system-level security patches. Google clearly warns that if your phone can't update to Android 13 or higher, replacing it is the safest option. According to experts, even new mid-range smartphones can prove to be more secure than older flagship phones.