Google Releases Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 with Call Forwarding Security Update
Google has released the beta OS update 'Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3' for Google Pixel devices enrolled in the pre-release Android OS trial program, the 'Android Beta Program'. The highlight feature of this update is the hardening of the call forwarding function aimed at preventing fraud.
The new feature introduces a mechanism that analyzes and selectively restricts call forwarding USSD codes executed via the 'TelephonyManager.sendUssdRequest()' API. If an app possessing only the 'CALL_PHONE' permission attempts to execute a call forwarding code in the background, the operation will be blocked and a 'USSD_ERROR_NOT_ALLOWED' callback will be returned.
Additionally, if a user manually enters a call forwarding code through the system's dialer app, a new OS-level confirmation dialog will appear before execution. This change is intended to reinforce defenses against scams exploiting social engineering.