Google disables encryption on Android 5.0

It was verified that some products are marketed based Lollipop with disk encryption disabled. Google has changed the specifications by eliminating the requirement to have this functionality. Last year, Google announced that the next version of Android 5.0 would enable disk encryption by default, option then automatically available to the user without any direct intervention of the latter.

This news was reported by all the main sources of information, and was also the basis for important discussions about the safety and the difficulties for the police: in case of an inquiry encryption is an obstacle difficult to overcome for data access.

The first devices released by Google with Android Lollipop was actually verified that encryption was enabled by default, so perfectly in line with the statements made earlier. Arstechnica.com noted that the situation is different on some third-party devices currently on the market on which the disk encryption is indeed available, but must be activated by the user.

It was then verified the content of specifications released in January by Google to partners in order to check if these indications are changed, or if they were the producers of the devices to have them dashed. And from the document has emerged a major surprise: Enabling disk encryption is indicated only as a recommendation and not as a binding requirement. With this innovation, the choice is left to the OEM, which can enable the option or leave it off exactly as in previous versions of Android. ArsTechnica reports also have asked Google for clarification but had not received answers for the moment, so in the absence of certainty is the scenario of the hypothesis.

It must be remembered that in November was reported a problem of slowing the devices due to the workload required to manage encryption. It is plausible that the change of course, Google intends to temporarily solve the problem, leaving OEMs time to run for cover at the hardware level by improving the implementation of this security feature. Then there is a scenario most conspiracies under which Google may have been pressured in order to change the specifications, pressure from those who would benefit from easier access to data. But we remain in the field of hypotheses.

There will probably be new developments on this matter but what matters most to the end user is another. The mere installation of Lollipop does not automatically mean encryption enabled on the device and for those who want the active option is advisable to check the settings of your device.