Google Protects Users with Encrypted Client Hello on Android 17

Google has introduced platform-wide support for Encrypted Client Hello (ECH) on Android 17, making it the first major mobile OS to do so. Jigsaw, a tech incubator within Alphabet, says ECH closes a critical internet privacy gap.

EVEN when you're visiting a website with secure HTTP (HTTPS), internet service providers can still see the domain names of the websites and services you visit and use.

This information can be used to build user profiles that companies can use for targeted advertising and bad actors can use for phishing campaigns. ECH encrypts the destination website you visit from the start, preventing ISPs from seeing your activities.