Google has just revealed a surprise new update for Android that has surpassed iPhone in terms of security. The update, unveiled in the latest Android 15 developer release, introduces features that take privacy and security to the next level.

Recent developments have shown Android and iPhone becoming increasingly similar, with Google adopting iPhone features and Apple moving towards Android’s direction. However, the latest Android update has taken everyone by surprise by introducing advanced privacy measures.

One of the standout features is the ability for new Android devices to hide their locations even from their networks, a move that mirrors the level of privacy typically associated with iPhone. Additionally, Google has previewed a feature designed to protect devices from IMSI grabbers and intercept platforms, technologies used by law enforcement and sometimes criminals to capture phone IDs and intercept calls and messages.

While Android has previously ventured into this space with features to enhance privacy, the latest update is set to bring these privacy measures to the mainstream. However, the catch is that these updates will require a new interface between the radio modem and the phone’s OS, necessitating new modems, and potentially hardware upgrades for users.

It is anticipated that Google phones will be the first to receive these updates, with other devices to follow suit. Mishaal Rahman, who discovered the update, highlighted the significance of these privacy measures in safeguarding individual privacy against potential threats posed by grabbers and intercepts.