Google Identity Check announced as latest anti-theft feature for Android smartphones

One of the greatest risks of being able to keep various vital aspects of your life on your smartphone is that if that device gets stolen, the crucial data involved is potentially gone (and, worse, possibly up for sale) too. 

Google is working on making that less of a thing with various Theft Protection features for Android, the latest of which is Identity Check. 

It allows the user to set one or more "trusted locations" (such as the home), outside of which "critical" device assets such as passkeys, Google accounts or device PIN-changing procedures will require authentication via either a fingerprint scan or Face Unlock.

Biometric authentication will also be required to disable Identity Check itself outside of its designated safe zones.

Accordingly, should a smartphone be taken away from its owner, it may prevent anyone else from accessing its most valuable digital assets nonetheless.

There may be some unforeseen drawbacks and pitfalls to the new system, however, the mildest of which might include the added inconvenience in accessing certain data or features on one's smartphone depending on where one is.

Furthermore, it does not address the possibility that a user might be coerced or forced into using their biometrics to revoke Identity Check in any case.

In addition, Google did not specify whether it prevents the wiping or reset of a device in its new blog post.

The Mountain View giant has stated that its roll-out will start with smartphones of the Pixel series and One UI 7-eligible Samsung smartphones, with other Android 15 devices such as the OnePlus 13 to follow. 

Want to be first in line for Identity Check? The Pixel 9 is up to 22% off its normal $799 list price on Amazon right now.