Our phones are our most personal space, but we use them in the least private places. On the bus, in the elevator, and wherever we’re waiting in line, our digital laundry gets aired in plain view. As phones become more tailored to our routines and preferences, concerns about privacy are only growing.

That’s why Samsung will soon unveil a new layer of privacy to shield your phone from shoulder surfing wherever you go. You’ll have a more secure way to check your messages or enter a password when commuting or on public transit.

Flexible Protection Built Over Years

Not everyone needs the same level of privacy. This new layer gives you the choice to decide what works best for you. You can customise the security with specific apps, or when entering access details for more private areas of your phone. With multiple settings for adjusting visibility, you can limit what others can see based on the level of privacy protection you need.

You can also choose to protect specific parts of your experience, such as notification pop-ups. It’s a tailored approach that you can fine-tune or switch off entirely, rather than a blanket one.

It took over five years of engineering, testing and refining to get here. We studied how people use their phones, what they consider private, and how security should feel in everyday life. The result is a fusion of hardware and software expertly calibrated to enhance mobile security.

A New Standard for Mobile Privacy

This is the latest in a series of Galaxy innovations designed to keep you safe. There is no privacy without strong security. For more than a decade, Samsung Knox has established layers of protection for Galaxy devices, from dedicated security hardware like Knox Vault[1] to ecosystem defenses such as Knox Matrix[2]. This latest safeguard builds on that commitment to security, introducing privacy at a pixel level.

This is privacy you can see and security you can feel – and it’s coming to Galaxy very soon.

[1] Samsung Knox Vault availability may vary by model including but not limited to Galaxy S Series, Galaxy A Series, Galaxy Tab S Series and more.

[2] Knox Matrix is supported on Galaxy smartphones and tablets One UI 6.0 or above. Availability may vary by country or region.

Protecting our personal sanctuary and our belongings are second nature. This is why we check our locks, close our windows, and invest in gates. Today, however, the modern connected home has dozens of invisible, digital entryways: From smart TVs and refrigerators, to robot vacuums, speakers, and more. While these bring convenience in a new era of intelligent living, they also represent potential vulnerabilities from within.

This shift has not been lost on consumers in Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO). In fact, reports are finding that data privacy and security are key purchasing considerations for consumers in markets like Australia[1], Indonesia[2], and Singapore[3]. This sentiment is echoed in; a recent global Samsung survey found that respondents expect AI-driven security features to protect their homes and ensure their families’ safety, with “Security / safe” frequently cited as key criteria for AI home appliances[4].

With our increasingly connected lives, the very concept of home security needs a critical rethink. Having peace of mind now depends on safeguarding our digital lives with the same rigor that we apply to our physical ones. Unlike physical break-ins that usually leave visible signs, a digital intrusion is often invisible. The target is not your television set, but your personal data, your family’s routines, and your privacy.

A cybersecurity breach can extend far beyond your front door. Poorly protected devices can face malware risks, with attacks that potentially disrupt their features, give hackers access to device cameras, enable theft of data, and more.

For the modern consumer, the challenge of managing the security settings of their various home appliances has intensified, especially as they embrace more smart devices. This creates the need for a holistic, built-in solution that works seamlessly in the background, offering robust protection without requiring constant user intervention. Without the right safeguards in place, consumers could find themselves vulnerable to privacy breaches – just imagine a robot vacuum’s camera recording footage of house interiors without authorisation and revealing when a home is empty, or a compromised appliance revealing sensitive personal information like passwords and biometric data.

Security by Design, Our Layered Approach

At Samsung, our goal is to deliver trusted and personalised experiences through security solutions that aim to help protect your different connected devices and appliances. From on-device features like Knox Vault, to the Knox Matrix which enables ecosystem-wide protection, Samsung aims to provide you with ease, convenience, and care.  

Samsung Knox is a comprehensive, multi-layered security platform that is designed to act as an invisible shield for the entire ecosystem of Samsung devices, with Knox Vault[5] and Knox Matrix[6] being key innovations within that platform.

Think of Knox Vault as a physical, safe built directly into the hardware of our devices. This is where data like cryptographic keys and digital certificates are stored, isolated from the main system. Across our screen-equipped home appliances, we’ve also integrated the Passkey[7] feature – a digital credential that allows users to log in to home appliance apps and websites[8] using biometrics such as fingerprints.

Connectivity within the Samsung ecosystem likewise helps to safeguard against threats when they go undetected. Samsung’s Knox Matrix creates a trusted, network that turns a smart home into a “smart shield,”.  where more connected devices mean stronger overall security. The Trust Chain in particular — which is a part of Knox Matrix — is managed on a private blockchain, enabling devices to monitor each other for threats

Earning Consumer Trust Through a Legacy of Action

Our commitment to security is not a recent reaction to market trends, but a long-standing commitment to our customers. Samsung is an  innovator in digital security, leveraging our global expertise from the highly secure mobile industry and applying it across our entire product portfolio.

Our commitment is validated by leading independent organisations. For example, the Bespoke AI Jet Bot Steam, Bespoke Jet Bot Combo, and Bespoke AI Refrigerators have received IoT security certifications from TÜV Nord based on the ETSI EN 303 645 standard which defines security and privacy requirements across the lifecycle of consumer IoT devices[9].

As AI and connectivity make our homes more intuitive and helpful, the foundation of trust becomes more critical. Our goal is to deliver a smart home experience that is as secure as it is seamless.

To ensure this trust endures, we are already preparing for future threats. Samsung is actively researching Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)[10], developing new security solutions to help our devices remain secure against potential quantum computing threats of tomorrow, helping to safeguard our products over their long lifecycles.

While our customers focus on locking their front door, they can have absolute confidence that Samsung is tirelessly securing every digital one. Our vision is clear: it’s not just about smarter living; it’s about safer living.

[1] What do Aussie Consumers consider when looking to purchase consumer electronics? – YouGov

[2] Data privacy: how concerned are consumers in APAC – and does it affect the devices they buy? – YouGov

[3] YouGov Report: Consumer electronics: Safety and sustainability

[4] Survey: Global Consumers Prioritize Personalization and Security in AI Home Appliances – Samsung Global Newsroom

[5] Currently applied to Bespoke AI Jet Bot Ultra and appliances with 7-inch or 9-inch AI Home, and AI Family Hub screens launched in Australia in 2025. The Bespoke AI Oven is not included.

[6] Currently available via Wi-Fi enabled appliances launched in Australia in 2025.

[7] Currently applied to appliances available in Australia featuring a 7-inch or 9-inch AI Home, and AI Family Hub screens launched in Australia in 2025. The Bespoke AI Oven is not included.

[8] Feature is available on websites that support the international Fast Identity Online (FIDO) standard.

[9] More information is available here: Samsung Digital Appliances Earns Its First TÜV Nord IoT Security Certification – Samsung Newsroom Australia

[10] Currently applied to appliances available in Australia featuring a 7-inch or 9-inch AI Home, and AI Family Hub screens launched in Australia in 2025. The Bespoke AI Oven is not included.

This level of personalisation can be incredibly helpful, but the more your phone knows, the more there is to protect. So, what’s keeping all that personal data secure?

Samsung believes there is no privacy without strong security. That’s why every Galaxy device is protected from the chip up by a multi-layered approach, which includes on-device personalisation, user-controlled cloud processing, and ecosystem-wide protection through Samsung Knox Matrix.

At the core of this system is Samsung Knox Vault[2], Samsung’s hardware-based solution for your most sensitive information.

Secured at the Hardware Level

Most devices rely on software alone to guard sensitive data, but Galaxy devices go further.

Knox Vault is a hardware-level security solution that creates a physical barrier between your most private information and everything else. It works like a locked room inside your phone, with its own processor and memory. It pairs a secure processor with dedicated memory, isolating your passwords, PINs, biometrics, and cryptographic keys. These are the kinds of details you don’t want anyone else to access, and Knox Vault is built to make sure they stay private. You don’t need to activate or manage it, it’s always on, working silently in the background, helping keep your data safe while you get on with your day.

This is particularly crucial in the age of AI as user concerns are expanding from traditional cybersecurity threats, like viruses and malware, to worries over leaking personal data, such as conversations with your AI assistant. And as AI becomes part of more everyday tasks, the types of data that need protection are also expanding.

For example, location service metadata from your personal photos, not only details the resolution and file format, but could easily give away where you live and the exact location where the image was taken. In the era of AI, personal information like your address, face clustering ID, person ID, pet type, scene type and more need to encrypted and stored in a safe location. These things aren’t just files — they are deeply connected to your daily life.

Knox Vault helps mitigate these growing concerns by safely storing personal information in a secure, hardware-isolated environment designed to block both physical tampering and remote attacks ensuring your data can’t be accessed without approval.

Personalised AI, Protected at the Core

Knox Vault not only provides protection for today’s threats, it also ensures your privacy as mobile experiences continue to evolve.

As Galaxy AI becomes more useful, it also becomes more personal — learning how you use your device and adapting to your needs. And because this relies on deeply personal data, Knox Vault plays a crucial role in keeping that information private.

Features like Now Brief[3] provide useful summaries and suggestions based on your daily activity, while Modes and Routines[4] creates auto-generated routines by adjusting settings in response to your habits. These tools and the highly tailored AI experiences they enable are guided by a map of personalised data – data that is encrypted, with Knox Vault securing the keys.

Galaxy AI¹ also ensures privacy by processing tasks directly on-device where possible[5], keeping data in your hands and off online servers. Audio Eraser,[6] for example, can remove the background noise from videos or voice recordings without the need for any cloud-based processing — helping your personal comversations stay private. Call Transcript[7] and summary operates in the same way, keeping your calls organised while ensuring personal conversations stay private by remaining on-device.

Knox Vault helps ensure your data is protected, confidential and secure. Building on its role in Galaxy AI¹ as the trusted foundation for security and privacy, Knox Vault will expand across Samsung’s growing AI ecosystem as AI becomes more deeply integrated into the user experience.

Knox Vault is more than a security feature, it’s Samsung’s promise that no matter how advanced your devices become, or how much AI evolves, keeping privacy secured is our goal.

[1] Fees may apply to certain AI Features at the end of 2025. Certain Galaxy AI features requires Samsung and Google Account. Internet connection may be required to use some features.

[2] Samsung Knox Vault is included on Galaxy S series, Galaxy A series, Galaxy Tab S series and more. Knox Vault availability may vary by model.

[3]  Now Brief requires Samsung Account login, app compatibility and user’s consent to access certain information. Service availability may vary.

[4] Modes and Routines requires Samsung Account login. Customised content and recommendations requires Permissions to access data including location, app usage and how you use your device.

[5] Samsung Account login required. Processing data only on your device allows advanced intelligence features to operate locally, rather than online. Enabling this option may limit the functionality of certain AI features that rely on online data processing for advanced capabilities.

[6] Results may vary per video depending on sounds present in the video. Samsung Account login required. Certain types of sound can be detected such as voices, music, wind, nature, crowd and noise. The actual sound detection may vary depending on audio source, and the condition of the video. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[7] Call Transcript feature requires a network connection to receive calls. Samsung Account login required. Summary feature for Call Transcript is capable of automatically transcribing recorded calls when a certain number of characters is met and is under the character limit. Call recording may not be supported in some countries. Currently available on pre-installed Samsung phones and Voice Record app. Service availability may vary by language or region. Certain languages may require language pack download. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

Knox Matrix Unlocks Ultimate Transparency

Knox Matrix is Samsung’s vision for the future, enhancing protection through multi-layered, intelligent threat monitoring between connected and compatible Samsung devices. One UI 7 sets the foundation for the next frontier of security.

• Knox Matrix monitors connected devices through Trust Chain, a secure private blockchain — and the new Knox Matrix dashboard introduces an easier way to maintain transparent security across a connected device ecosystem. With One UI 7, it’s more intuitive than ever to check the security status of multiple connected Samsung smart devices, including compatible Galaxy mobile devices, TVs and home appliances, at a glance. When all connected devices are updated to the latest software and no risks are detected, they will show as ‘green,’ or secure. Users can also see if a device is at risk, and the dashboard will prompt an actionable recommendation to help mitigate the threat.
• A new recovery method for Enhanced Data Protection adds ease and convenience to the process of retrieving data stored on Samsung Cloud. Enhanced Data Protection keeps connected devices synchronised and secure, also ensuring that if access to a trusted device is lost, users have a backup plan to help prevent the loss of their data. With One UI 7, users can now transfer recovered, private data to a new Galaxy device by verifying the lock screen factor – whether pin, pattern or password – of their previous device.
• As part of Knox Matrix’s Credential Sync, Samsung has developed new ways to manage and secure identities and credentials for today’s hyperconnected world in the form of passkeys[2]. With One UI 7, users can now create and use passkeys to log into their Samsung Account. As digital authentication credentials, passkeys enable a faster, easier way to securely log in to apps, devices and websites — so users can safely sign into their compatible TVs, AI Family Hub refrigerator and more, simply by using the fingerprint sensor on their smartphones.

Maximum Restrictions Boost User Control

Maximum Restrictions establishes a powerful line of defense against today’s cyber threats. One UI 7 further enhances user choice with new features designed to protect those who may need additional safeguards. Maximum Restrictions has been updated with added controls for network connections so users can enjoy the added peace of mind that comes from boosted protection without losing access to key device functionalities. Thanks to the added controls, users have the choice to block 2G service and prevent data from being intercepted when connected to potentially unsafe networks. Users can also prevent unintended automatic reconnection to certain Wi-Fi networks[3] that may be less secure, ensuring data remains private while still having the option to connect manually if desired.

This update enhances Maximum Restrictions’ existing suite of protections for Samsung Messages and Samsung Gallery, which allows users to remove location data in shared photos, prevent automatic attachment downloads, and block hyperlinks, previews and shared albums.

More Security Settings Bring Added Device Protection

One UI 7 introduces even more ways users can adjust security settings to best suit the ways in which they use their device. Users can choose to block USB connections to prevent any other access through the USB port while the device is locked, except for battery charging.

To protect against malicious apps that come from sideloading, One UI 7’s new Safe Install system works alongside Auto Blocker to send a warning when a user attempts to download from an unauthorised source, alerting them of security risks and preventing unintentional sideloading on Galaxy devices worldwide[4].

Theft Protection Enhances Data Privacy

One UI 7 introduces new features available only on select Galaxy devices to the Android suite of theft protection solutions, enhancing the safeguards in place to ensure personal data remains secure even when devices are lost or stolen. In addition to Theft Detection Lock,[5] Offline Device Lock and Remote Lock, Galaxy users can now leverage additional security measures in Identity Check, an opt-in feature designed for when a device’s PIN becomes compromised. If suspicious activity is detected, users can rest assured that these Galaxy-exclusive protections will kick in.

• When in an unfamiliar location, biometric authentication will be required to make any changes to important security settings that could put personal information at risk.
• As an added safeguard, a one-hour security delay will prevent unauthorised users from making any immediate changes to the device.

One UI 7 is the next step in Samsung’s commitment to privacy on AI, introducing advanced security features to ensure complete protection in the era of AI. The official One UI 7 release will commence with upcoming Galaxy S series devices, featuring additional AI capabilities including enhanced, hardware-dependent on-device AI functions, starting from the first quarter of 2025. In line with Samsung’s commitment to extend its OS upgrade policy, the update will gradually roll out to other compatible Galaxy devices.

The One UI 7 beta program will be first available for Galaxy S24 series devices in Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK, and the US, from December 5. Galaxy S24 series users can apply to join the beta program via Samsung Members.

[1] Availability, features and specifications provided in this article are subject to change and may vary by market and/or model.

[2] Timing of availability may vary by region, network provider and/or model.

[3] Maximum Restrictions prevents automatic, unintended reconnection to less secure networks, which may include Open, Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE), or Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP).This protects users from device traffic that may be interrupted. Preventing automatic reconnection to Wi-Fi networks is available under Wi-Fi setting though with One UI7, this feature would be available under maximum restrictions. Launch for this and the 2G block would be with the release of One UI 7.

[4] Availability and timing will vary by market, OS version and/or model

[5] Timing of availability may vary by region, network provider and/or model.

Samsung has made it a priority to give you peace of mind when using connected device ecosystems as Knox Vault, passkeys and Knox Matrix help protect you and your digital life.

Knox Vault

At Samsung, we’re constantly exploring ways to add extra layers of security to our products through software and hardware innovations. One example is our hardware-backed Knox Vault which combines a secure processor with secure memory to isolate your data — like PINs, passwords and biometrics — from the rest of your device to help safeguard against physical or remote reach of your data.

But we’re not stopping there. With many people now using multiple devices, we’re expanding Knox Vault to more devices[1] and bringing the safest mobile experience to a wider audience. You can rest assured that our technologies will constantly evolve as we continue to prioritise keeping you and your data safe.

Passkeys

As our device ecosystems continue to grow, we’ve all experienced the bothersome task of logging into apps and websites with passwords that are often long, complicated and easy to forget. But what if they no longer existed, and it was still possible to securely share information across multiple devices?

This is our vision for passkeys — digital credentials that can be used for authentication across websites and apps, enabled by Knox Matrix with Galaxy smartphones and tablets.[2] Passkeys allow users to log in to apps and websites on Galaxy devices using Samsung Pass in Samsung Wallet.[3] This safe and easy feature enables users to sign in with biometric authentication like fingerprints and eliminates the need to remember current passwords or reset forgotten ones. Convenient without compromising security, passkeys mark a significant step toward a passwordless future.

Passkeys offer a fast, easy and secure device experience. You’ll save time by no longer needing to type your account username into your device — simply select the account you wish to sign into. Once passkeys are registered, it is easy to switch over to a new connected device as there is no need to sign in all over again. Passkeys only work on users’ registered websites and applications, helping to safeguard against phishing attacks from malicious sites or apps.

Knox Matrix

Providing new ways to secure identities and credentials for a hyperconnected world, passkeys are part of Credential Sync — a key component of Knox Matrix. We live in an age where we’re surrounded by connected devices from our phones to TVs, and even our refrigerators. This connectivity offers exciting new opportunities but also poses an increased risk of exploitation. Security offerings that protect single devices are no longer enough when one compromised device has the potential to negatively impact others within the same ecosystem — presenting the need for another layer of protection.

That’s why we’ve built Knox Matrix, our next frontier of security and vision for a safer future. The security system is a comprehensive approach that will become increasingly essential as more devices and aspects of our lives become connected — turning your home into a smart shield and keeping you and your ecosystem of connected devices safe. Knox Matrix functions as your private blockchain system where connected devices help ensure security at core stages through multi-layered, intelligent threat monitoring with compatible devices cross-checking each other for breaches.

Credential Sync secures your information when moving data from device to device, making it easy to manage multiple logins while encrypting information. By sharing credentials across devices, we aim to help protect your entire device ecosystem — so you don’t have to sacrifice security for connectivity or convenience.

Knox Matrix offers even more advanced protection for your entire device ecosystem with Trust Chain. In Trust Chain, connected devices monitor each other for security threats, provide notifications if ever attacked and share actions taken to block the threat. Also, Cross Platform SDK allows devices on different operating systems to join Knox Matrix with consistent security standards. This means you can enjoy strong security across the board with Knox Matrix whether your Samsung devices are based on Android, Tizen, Windows or other operating systems.

Samsung wants you to be able to navigate this increasingly connected world freely and comfortably with Samsung Galaxy, both now and in the future. To that end, we’re committed to helping you get the most out of your digital experience with Knox Vault and Knox Matrix. As we head towards a passwordless future, these powerful solutions will help ensure you’re backed up by security you can trust.

[1]  Including but not limited to Galaxy S series, Galaxy A series, Galaxy Tab S series and more. Knox Vault availability may vary by model.

[2] Available on Galaxy smartphones and tablets with Samsung Pass, supporting One UI 6 or later.

[3] Availability of Samsung Wallet and Samsung Pass may vary depending on market or model.