Mitigation for data loss from unlocked phone snatching?

user1357

Hello all,

I was reading a previous thread (https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/7658-seized-graph-phone-swe-police) where it was being discussed that groups were potentially extracting information from devices by snatching the device from its owner while the device is in the unlocked state and recording, with a separate camera, the contents of the screen as the thief goes through the phone--in order to collect data off the device before it locks and potentially can't be opened again.

I have been trying to figure out how something like this could be mitigated: e.g. biometric unlock to open specific/each app, and if the biometric is not passed (in 10 seconds, lets say) the device locks/restarts. I do this just as a fun thought exercise, but now I am curious...

Does graphene OS implement anything like app locking where the 2nd factor (biometric) can be used to prevent thieves from going through a phone after its been snatched in an unlocked state? Is there anything that can potentially put the device back into a locked state?

Thanks

[deleted]

I used Neo Launcher for the purpose of password protecting all my apps including Settings when entered via home screen shortcut or from app drawer until I have discovered one con. When you pull notification shade all the way down, it exposes Settings button and upon entering it, password is not required and after entering Settings > Apps you can simply open every app without having to enter password which defeats the purpose. Does anyone know of a way that prevents the pull down notification shade from fully opening? Internet searches rendered no meaningful results.

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e

https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.wesaphzt.privatelock/

user1357

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e Thanks for this!! Is it something that you use? If so, do you see any major degradation to the battery life of your phone? And I've noticed the project hasn't been updated since 2019. But I presume it still runs without issue?

mmmm

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e Great app, thanks. Shame it doesn't seem actively developed anymore. I miss from my iPhone the ability to secretly tap the power button 5 times from in my pocket to disable biometrics when I feel I need it - this adds that back albeit in a different manner. Plus it keeps my data safe from snatchers. Thanks!

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e

user1357 I've been using this app long before GOS. No issues so far: strong twist of the wrist and the device is locked.

newbie24689

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e Good One! Thank You.
Err.... For what sensitivity have you set it? So far I'm trying "4".

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e

newbie24689 On Pixel 6a I chose 40 which is the lowest one, to avoid accidential locking.

newbie24689

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e I'm having very good luck at setting "1" around the house for testing purposes. Give it a little deliberate shake and it shuts down without having to press any buttons. I'm guessing the sensitivity will have to go down when attaching my phone to the dash board and using a GPS app in the car on a rough road ! :-)

[deleted]

My favourite mitigation for data loss from unlocked phone snatch is to avoid unlocking your phone where it may get snatched instead of using unmaintained apps that target lower Android versions. It's all about control.

mmmm

[deleted] My favourite mitigation for data loss from unlocked phone snatch is to avoid unlocking your phone where it may get snatched

And most avoid getting hit by cars when crossing the road but yet people still get run over. I guess not everyone has super human levels of restraint and prescience, or it may just be me.

However, a tool to automatically lock ones phone upon a sudden movement is an excellent failsafe for folks who don't have superpowers, who live in busy cities, where crime can happen, and who actually needs to use their phones.

Its a shame it's out of date though.

newbie24689

[deleted] Sure agree with keeping it locked (if practical).

FWIW, there is an app called "lock screen notes" https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.nilsfo.lsn&gl=US
that allows one to put, e.g., his shopping list into a little expandable link displayed on the lock screen. Touch the link and it expands into the shopping list you entered earlier - on the locked screen. I typically leave the house with multiple shopping and other lists (e.g. todo) completed and read them without ever unlocking the phone.

Private Lock looks ideal for when I'm dealing with an interactive app (e.g. GPS app) downtown. Give it a little shake, and it shuts down. Even then, I'll step out of the traffic stream and well clear before moving the phone out of my pocket (I had an acquaintance get his phone snatched by a running kid).

user74838

what about a smart lock (not to be confused with Google's feature) that locks the phone based on geo-fencing and/or separation from a Bluetooth fob you can carry on your person?

Ammako

user74838 that would imply keeping bluetooth and/or location active 24/7 which has its own drawbacks

user74838

understood. there are projects like https://www.buskill.in/ but that also seems to have drawbacks. I would be in favor of putting my phone to ping Bluetooth/GPS every 10 seconds+ and then auto lock in case the phone is snatch & grabbed. This is something I would only enable outside of my immediate home area.

DeletedUser69

As a reminder there are more practical approaches to prevent "things from happening" that do not require any complicated setups just a little common sense.

https://www.streetwisedefence.com/blog/prevent-phone-from-being-stolen