Really, I'd rather see a lock option on bio-metrics. Use my right index finger and it unlocks. Use my thumb and it disables all bio-metrics. Since cops can make you press your finger to the pad (in the US and a few other places), make it so it deep locks the phone if use use the "wrong" finger.
I'd set it to unlock with my middle finger and deep locks with either of my index fingers, or my thumbs. Even allow different pins when in deep lock.
Useless gimmick. What Android needs is emergency lock/shutdown/wipe. Like usable during swat raid. Or the phone is taken away from you by force. Lock removes biometrics while locking. Shutdown - shuts downs the phone. Wipe reboots and wipes everything.
3 days are more than enough to have the pin beaten out of you and if you are infected by NSO - more than enough for the agent to upload everything to their servers.
There are many models in which you may only have seconds to make the phone totally locked without biometrics. Or the phone to be a meter or two away from you.
Really, I'd rather see a lock option on bio-metrics. Use my right index finger and it unlocks. Use my thumb and it disables all bio-metrics. Since cops can make you press your finger to the pad (in the US and a few other places), make it so it deep locks the phone if use use the "wrong" finger.
I'd set it to unlock with my middle finger and deep locks with either of my index fingers, or my thumbs. Even allow different pins when in deep lock.
HN threads on the iOS version of this feature.
"Reverse Engineering iOS 18 Inactivity Reboot", 150 comments, https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42167633
"Cops suspect iOS 18 iPhones are communicating to force reboots", 250 comments, https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42081874
Useless gimmick. What Android needs is emergency lock/shutdown/wipe. Like usable during swat raid. Or the phone is taken away from you by force. Lock removes biometrics while locking. Shutdown - shuts downs the phone. Wipe reboots and wipes everything.
3 days are more than enough to have the pin beaten out of you and if you are infected by NSO - more than enough for the agent to upload everything to their servers.
If "swat raid" (or any government action) is your realistic threat profile, you need to emmigrate ASAP for your own safety.
Also, insufficient: Governments can mandate preinstalled software in phones sold in their jurisdictions.
There are many models in which you may only have seconds to make the phone totally locked without biometrics. Or the phone to be a meter or two away from you.