Google Saved 0.1% of Users from Spies — The Rest Are Told to Just Pray
Does this new feature actually help anyone?
Android users are soon getting extra protection against one of the most stealthy but dangerous threats out there: cellular network spoofing. With the release of Android 16, Google is introducing a dedicated “Mobile Network Security” section in the settings that aims to detect and warn users about interception attempts using so-called Stingray devices.
Stingray, also known as IMSI-catchers, are portable devices that masquerade as legitimate cell towers, tricking nearby phones into connecting to them. Once connected, these rogue towers can intercept unique device identifiers like IMEI and force phones to downgrade to insecure protocols, such as 2G. This makes it easier to intercept calls, SMS, and even track movements.
While these devices were traditionally used by law enforcement and intelligence agencies, recent studies show that cybercriminals have also started using them. Mobile surveillance using fake base stations has become a growing issue outside the realm of legal use.
Google’s efforts to fight these threats started back in Android 12, when it introduced the ability to disable 2G networks at the modem level. Android 14 followed up with the option to block unencrypted “null-cipher” connections. Then, in Android 15, the system began warning users when a network requested unique identifiers or attempted to enforce weak encryption. These are direct countermeasures against Stingray tactics, which often involve downgrading the security of a connection.
However, these protections only work if the hardware (modem) supports them. Specifically, your device needs to have a modem compatible with Android IRadio HAL version 3.0. Unfortunately, most current phones — including newer Pixel models — do not meet this requirement, so many of these features won’t function on them.
Android 16 changes this — for upcoming devices. Phones that ship natively with IRadio HAL 3.0 support will gain access to the new “Mobile Network Security” section (Settings > Security & Privacy).
This section includes two main tools:
- Network Notifications – When enabled, Android will warn the user if:
- the device connects to an unprotected network,
- the connection switches from encrypted to open,
- a network requests access to the device’s unique identifiers (along with the time and number of such attempts).
This feature is off by default.
- 2G Network Protection – A toggle to disable support for 2G networks. This setting already exists under SIM settings but will now be integrated into this new security section.
Also off by default.
It’s important to note: the “Mobile Network Security” section only appears on devices that support both network notifications and the 2G toggle. This means even Pixel phones running Android 16 won’t see this section unless their hardware is compatible.
Once activated, network alerts appear in the notification bar and Security Hub, helping users spot suspicious activity like unexpected downgrades or identifier requests.
Now that Google has officially introduced the feature, we’ll need to wait for new smartphones — such as the upcoming Pixel 10 series — that support it. Until then, for most users, this security update remains more of a promise for the future than a current shield.
In other words, if your device isn’t brand new, Google’s best advice is still: stay cautious — and maybe pray a little.
