Google is set to Enable Encryption By Default

Following Apple's privacy policy statement yesterday,Google is reported to be coming out with a similar hard-line stance in its next Android release. Devices that will be running the upcoming Android L,sometimes called Android 5.0 or Lemon Meringue Pie, will have their phone's data encrypted and password-protected by default, which would hinder both authorities and miscreants alike from gathering users' private data.To be clear, Android has had the option to encrypt devices for a long time. The only problem, from a security point of view, is that it isn't enabled by default and that users are unlikely to know about it. This makes this rather important feature rather moot in most cases, leaving devices and users open not only to hacking but even to government fishing expeditions, legal or otherwise. For Android L, the feature will be turned on from the get go and users will have to knowingly and intentionally opt out of it if they want to. Following the same reason above, they are unlikely to do so.