Android 17 adds new protections against sneaky Wi-Fi tracking and web snooping

Android 17 adds Encrypted Client Hello, Local Network Protection, default Certificate Transparency and operator-controlled 2G disabling to counter Wi-Fi tracking and snooping.

Google announced network security changes in Android 17, led by broad support for Encrypted Client Hello (ECH), which encrypts domain names visible to network operators and eavesdroppers, paired with GREASE decoys where server support is uneven. Jigsaw testing across the top 10,000 domains and 740 ISPs in 202 countries found connection success and interference levels comparable to ordinary TLS. Android 17 also adds Local Network Protection requiring app permission to scan local devices, Certificate Transparency on by default to catch forged certificates, and operator-side 2G disabling to cut exposure to SMS blaster fake base stations. Apps targeting Android 17 get ECH by default via networking libraries such as OkHttp, WebView and HttpEngine.