Android L keeps your secrets safer:
To give a stiff competition to the newly launched Apple iOS , Google has also come in line quoting that encryption will be turned on by default in the next release of Android. Android has been offering encryption service for more than three years, however it has never been switched on in the phone by default. But in the next release by Android, the encryption will be enabled by default.
The recent news regarding the spying activities conducted on phones by National Security Agency have led to the planning of higher security due to privacy concerns. Till date, Android devices were offered with encryption but it was merely an option which was to be deliberately required to be turned on. The encryption when switched on uses more battery power so the user was given choice to switch it on or off.
Though the encryption will be switched on by default, it will not give any full proof protection. Since the data sent out of Google services to others will be fully encrypted while the data which travels within the Google services such as Google Hangout will not be altered to a great extent.
Further, one must note that the data will never be 100 % safe in the transit as once any data reaches the VPN network, any agency loses control over the data.
It does not guarantee that the hackers will not be able to access the data over your phone, it just reflects that it will become tough for playing with the data by the hacker due to high security measures.
The encryption and further protection of phone data is a good thing for the user but it does comes up with some disadvantages such as consumption of memory space, consumption of battery space, slow speed etc.
Ironically you will be protected by this feature as if you’re part of a terrorist network, you may potentially use this to your own advantage, so that your phone gets confiscated, there’s not much authorities can do to nail you.
That, of course, helps keep companies like Apple and Google out of the picture when law enforcement becomes involved, said 451 Research’s Hazelton.
