Android 16 Beta Hints at Enhanced Privacy Controls

Android 16's next quarterly platform release is poised to introduce significant privacy enhancements, with a beta version now available for Pixel devices. A new visual cue, a blue dot with a map icon, will appear near the battery indicator when an app is tracking user location. This proactive alert system allows users to immediately identify and manage apps accessing their sensitive location data. By tapping the icon, users can review which applications are active and take corrective actions, such as closing the app or modifying privacy permissions.

This innovative feature expands upon Google's existing privacy safeguards. Previously, a green dot with a camera icon alerted users to camera or microphone access. The new Android 16 update will integrate these indicators, displaying both camera and map icons when an app is simultaneously utilizing location services and accessing the camera. This combined notification system offers a more comprehensive overview of app activity.

While currently in beta and exclusive to Pixel phones, this location tracking indicator is expected to roll out to a wider range of Android devices in the future, mirroring the previous expansion of the camera and microphone usage alerts. The update aims to provide Android users with greater transparency and control over their personal information.