Microsoft Restricts Access to Sensitive Notifications in Android 15 Update for Phone Link Users
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Microsoft Warns Millions Of Windows Users—Your PC Is No Longer Trusted
Microsoft has issued a stark warning to millions of Windows users, stating that their PCs are no longer trusted. The reason behind this drastic change is the latest Android 15 update, which affects Phone Link apps installed from the Play Store and not preinstalled on devices.
According to sources, Google’s new security enhancement introduces robust measures to combat one-time passcode (OTP) fraud and protect users’ sensitive content. This includes redacting OTPs from notifications accessible to untrusted apps, hiding notifications during screenshare, and securing app activities when OTPs are posted.
Unfortunately for Windows Phone Link users, these enhanced security features come at the cost of notification mirroring, a fundamental feature that connects your phone and PC seamlessly. Microsoft has confirmed that “Phone Link no longer shows notifications that contain sensitive information for your protection.”
The impact of this change is far-reaching. It means that Windows Phone Link users will need to physically check their phones for specific messages after installing Android 15, if they don’t already. While one could argue that this development might be a small price to pay for enhanced security, it’s undeniable that the loss of notification mirroring will cause inconvenience and disrupt daily workflows.
Not everyone is pleased with the new change, however. Some users have expressed their frustration online, citing the importance of seamless communication between devices. “I confirm that this is very annoying,” wrote one user. “As I heavily rely on notification mirroring for my 2FA codes. There should be an option to whitelist certain apps to ensure uninterrupted access to critical notifications.”
It remains to be seen whether Microsoft will address these concerns and restore the previous functionality or if users will simply have to adapt to this new reality.
For now, it seems that Windows Phone Link users must adjust their workflow and find alternative means of staying connected.
Source: www.forbes.com
