Highlights:
Google has released the Android Security patch for the month of April and according to the latest Android Security Bulletin, a total of 11 issues with vulnerabilities ranging from high to critical have been resolved. These issues were distributed among general framework, media framework and system sub-heads. According to Pixel Security Bulletin, the update brings improvements for Pixel 3 in three areas, and one for the original Pixel device.
The issues related to Pixel 3 are in Assistant, Setup and Display wherein Google has improved the voice-unlocking performance of the Google Assistant, adjusted Wi-Fi connectivity during eSIM activation on certain carriers and removed screen flash when ambient display (commonly known as Always on Display, or AOD), respectively. The improvement for Pixel device was in Bluetooth connectivity. The latest security patch address all issues associated with the 2019-04-05 security patch level and all previous patch levels.
The updates come at a time when Google released its Android Security and Privacy 2018 Year In Review, claiming that the overall health of Android ecosystem has improved as compared to last year. Google claimed that in the fourth quarter of 2018, 84 percent more devices received a security update as compared to the devices in the same quarter last year. The company said that as of December 2018, over 95 percent of deployed Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL devices were running a security update from the last 90 days.
Google mitigates security vulnerabilities discovered internally, through the Android Security Rewards programme as well as additional engagements through regular Android security updates. The company said that last year, it worked with Android device manufacturers, mobile network operators, and system-on-chip (SOC) vendors to increase the number of devices receiving regular security updates.
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