Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced a new set of security and privacy updates rolling out with its upcoming Samsung Galaxy smartphones with One UI 8. These updates reinforce Samsung’s commitment to delivering powerful, trusted mobile technology in a rapidly evolving digital world by introducing new protections for on-device AI, expanding cross-device threat detection and enhancing network security with quantum-resistant encryption.

Next -Generation Mobile Security For AI Personalisation

Samsung is introducing Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection, ^[1] a new architecture designed to safeguard the next generation of personalised, AI-powered features, as its latest innovation in mobile security. KEEP creates encrypted, app-specific storage environments within the device’s secure storage area, ensuring that each app can access only its own sensitive information and nothing more.

Supporting Galaxy’s Personal Data Engine (PDE),^[2] KEEP helps secure a user’s deeply personal insights – such as routines and preferences – that enable features like Now Brief and Smart Gallery search. These insights stay entirely on-device, protected by KEEP and further secured by Knox Vault, Samsung’s tamper-resistant hardware security environment. The result is a seamless foundation for Galaxy AI that delivers personalised intelligence while keeping data tightly contained and under the user’s control.

KEEP’s system-level structure allows it to scale across Galaxy AI innovations. In addition to PDE, it now protects Now Brief, Smart Suggestions and other on-device features that rely on user-specific inputs – enabling more advanced AI experiences without compromising privacy. With KEEP, Samsung is redefining how mobile devices safeguard data in the background to elevate privacy from a setting to an embedded design principle.

Smarter, More Connected Threat Response with Knox Matrix

As AI becomes more integrated across the ecosystem, Samsung is advancing protections that offer not just stronger security, but greater transparency and control for users, with Knox Matrix leading the way. Through One UI 8, Samsung is evolving Knox Matrix to deliver more proactive and user-friendly protection for connected Galaxy devices. When a device is flagged for serious risk – such as system manipulation or identity forgery – it is designed to automatically sign out of the Samsung Account, cutting off access to cloud-connected services to prevent threats from spreading.^[3]

Users are notified across their connected Galaxy devices and guided to the ‘Security status of your devices’ page, where they can review the issue and take action. Even devices without the latest security status updates trigger a yellow-level warning, helping users respond before vulnerabilities grow.

Together, these updates make Samsung Galaxy’s ecosystem-level protection more dynamic, intuitive and visible, empowering users to maintain trust across all their devices with more confidence and clarity.

Secure Wi-Fi Strengthened with Quantum-Resistant Encryption

In continuation of its commitment to quantum-safe security, Samsung is bringing post-quantum cryptography to Secure Wi-Fi,^[4]extending the trusted approach first introduced on the Galaxy S25 series through Post-Quantum Enhanced Data Protection (EDP). Secure Wi-Fi is now being upgraded with a new cryptographic framework^[5] designed to strengthen network protection against emerging threats, particularly those anticipated in the era of quantum computing. This enhancement secures the key exchange process at the core of encrypted connections, helping ensure robust privacy even over public networks.

Quantum computing, once fully realised, could undermine many of today’s data protection methods. By integrating post-quantum cryptography, Secure Wi-Fi is built to withstand future attacks that capture encrypted data with the intent to break it once quantum technology matures – a tactic known as “harvest now, decrypt later.” This upgrade fortifies the secure tunnel between Galaxy devices and Samsung servers, reinforcing the integrity of data transmissions in high-risk environments like public Wi-Fi.

In addition to this future-ready foundation, Secure Wi-Fi offers a suite of advanced privacy features:

• Auto Protect: Automatically activates in public places like cafés, airports or hotels, securing Wi-Fi connections without requiring user action.
• Enhanced Privacy Protection (EPP): Encrypts internet traffic and routes it through multiple layers, combining packet encryption and relay to anonymise device information and help prevent tracking.
• Protection Activity: Provides visibility into protection history by showing which apps and networks were secured and how much data was encrypted over time.

A Trusted Platform with Built-In Safeguards

In addition to its latest innovations, Samsung continues to strengthen the core protections that underpin the Galaxy experience. These features reflect a multi-layered security approach that protects across hardware and software, while giving users greater visibility and control:

• Knox Vault secures sensitive credentials such as passwords, PINs and biometrics in a physically isolated environment, helping to keep them protected even if the main operating system is compromised.
• Auto Blocker helps provide defense by default, blocking unauthorised app installs, restricting command-based attacks and mitigating risks from potential zero-click threats.
• Advanced Intelligence Settings gives users the option to turn off online data processing for AI features, so personal information can stay on-device, fully under their control.
• Enhanced Theft Protection helps protect personal data even in high-risk situations such as robbery, using safeguards like Identity Check and Security Delay to prevent unauthorised access.

This latest set of updates reinforces Samsung’s long-standing commitment to mobile security that evolves with innovation. It strengthens on-device privacy for personalised AI with KEEP, expands transparency and user control through Knox Matrix, and introduces quantum-resistant protection to Secure Wi-Fi for a more future-ready Galaxy experience. As new security challenges emerge, Samsung remains focused on delivering safeguards that are built in, always on and ready for what’s next.

[1]Available on Galaxy smartphones and tablets with One UI 8 or later.

[2]The Personal Data Engine functions when the Personal Data Intelligence menu is on. Analysed data will be deleted once the Personal Data Intelligence menu is turned off.

[3]Available on Galaxy smartphones and tablets with One UI 8 or later. Availability may vary by model and/or market.

[4]Secure Wi-Fi offers free protection of up to 1024MB per month for Android OS 13 or later, and 250MB per month for Android OS 12 or earlier versions. Availability details may vary by market or network provider and connectivity is subject to applicable network environments.</em

[5]Secure Wi-Fi offers free protection of up to 1024MB per month for Android OS 13 or later, and 250MB per month for Android OS 12 or earlier versions. Availability details may vary by market or network provider and connectivity is subject to applicable network environments.</em

As smart technology and AI become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, new research finds that nearly 9 out of 10 Brits (89%) express concerns about their privacy.

But, for the majority of consumers, these concerns stop at their phones – despite other smart devices in the home also collecting personal data and being just as vulnerable to threats.

This new research from Samsung Electronics, which surveyed over 8,000 Millennial and Gen Z respondents across Europe, including the UK, reveals that over a quarter (28%) of young Brits never think about the security of their smart appliances. In contrast, 1 in 2 (53%) think about the privacy of their mobile phones every day – a worrying blind spot given how connected our smart devices have become, and with the number of smart homes in Europe expected to surpass 100 million by 2028.^[1]

The research highlights how managing privacy can feel overwhelming for many – with over 1 in 10 (14%) of those surveyed saying it’s too complex, and 7 in 10 (70%) finding it stressful. Within Europe, Spain tops the list of countries where people find managing their privacy the most stressful (88%), followed by Greece (87%) and France (75%) and Italy (75%).

Privacy concerns among Brits are wide-ranging – from fears of financial theft (73%) to unease about metadata being used to identify them (61%).

The findings point to a deep education gap when it comes to privacy. Many want to take control of their data when it comes to their technology. In fact, almost 8 in 10 (78%) put such considerations front and centre at point of purchase, alongside their familiarity with the brand. Yet despite rising awareness, many still feel unequipped to take meaningful action:

• Only 22% say they feel ‘very’ knowledgeable about privacy
• Just over half (54%) are aware of the data their apps and devices collect about them
• 3 in 10 (28%) accept default settings on apps without fully understanding them
• Almost 6 in 10 (57%) feel they can never be fully in control of their privacy across their devices
• 7 in 10 (70%) are calling for better education on data and privacy
• Over 1 in 10 (14%) consumers say they trust brands to take the protection of their data seriously

These fears are holding UK consumers back from harnessing the full potential of the latest technology. 1 in 5 (18%) haven’t shared data between smart devices in the past year due to security fears—showing that Brits aren’t taking full advantage of connected living, and the enhanced lifestyle benefits it can bring.

Yet two thirds say they would be more open to fully embracing AI and smart-home technology if they better understood the benefits to their lifestyle (67%) and felt confident their data was secure (67%). From real-time smart home updates (15%) to personalised shopping discounts (15%), job opportunities (14%) and tailored fitness and health suggestions (14%), many recognise that they are missing out on everyday enhancements due to concerns around how their data is handled.

In light of these findings, Samsung is reinforcing its commitment to empowering users with strong safeguards and transparent privacy controls in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Dr. Seungwon Shin, Corporate EVP & Head of Security Team, Device eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics said: “At Samsung, we believe true innovation starts with people – which is why we put privacy at the core of everything we do. This research highlights a growing trend: while consumers are proactive about managing privacy on their smartphones, they’re often overlooking the broader ecosystem of connected devices. It also reflects a hesitation to fully embrace AI-powered experiences, largely driven by uncertainty around data use.

As advocates for privacy-first design, we’re committed to earning trust through transparency, choice, and built-in protections. Everyone should be able to explore new AI capabilities with confidence, knowing their data is protected and they remain in control. That’s why we’re focused on putting privacy in the hands of users – where it belongs.”

At the heart of this mission is Samsung Knox, the company’s government-grade security platform that safeguards its smart home appliances^[2] and Galaxy devices. With the rise of connected living, Samsung is expanding Knox security across its ecosystem so users can enjoy smart appliances and AI-powered features with peace of mind^[3]

Knox Matrix is Samsung’s long-term vision for connected security—where devices in the same ecosystem work together to safeguard one another. Built on private blockchain technology and backed by future-ready protections like post-quantum cryptography^[4], Knox Matrix enables real-time, multi-device protection across smartphones, tablets, TVs, and more.

Complementing this is Knox Vault, which stores sensitive information like PINs, passwords and biometric data in a separate, hardware-based environment. This ensures that even if the main operating system is compromised, private information always stays protected.

With this layered security in place, users are empowered to manage their privacy across all their connected devices, making choices entirely on their own terms.

The research also shows that UK consumers want more than just promises—they’re seeking practical tools. 28% support clearer data usage policies, and almost the same amount value privacy information that’s simple and easy to understand (29%).

Recognising this need, Samsung is expanding its efforts to educate users and equip them with tools that put privacy into their hands across all Samsung devices. For more information on privacy, see here. For more information on the Samsung Knox security principles, see here.

[1]Research and Markets. (2024). Smart Homes and Home Automation Report 2024. Business Wire.

[2]Samsung Knox is applied to select appliances launched in 2018 and later.

[3]Samsung Knox Matrix cannot guarantee complete protection against all vulnerabilities within a user’s connected device ecosystem.

[4]Post-quantum cryptography is available on Galaxy S25 series.

London, UK – October 12, 2022 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. held its annual Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) today in San Francisco, bringing together developers, creators and designers to explore seamless, connected experiences powered by Samsung.

During the event, Samsung shared more about its commitment to creating simplified, game-changing customer experiences, including the company’s updated vision for SmartThings as it evolves from a connectivity platform to an enabler of smarter lifestyles. From deeper integration with Bixby to seamless connectivity with Matter-compatible devices, SmartThings is creating a richer, more open world that empowers all users to streamline their connections and their daily lives.

“At Samsung, we continuously innovate our devices, platforms and services to be simpler and more convenient. I am proud to share the next generation of our work, like SmartThings, to further our collaboration with partners and developers,” said Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics. “As technologies become more complex, we will always search for ways to make life easier, more connected, and more flexible, so our consumers can focus on what matters most.”

Connecting Platforms and Devices with Calm Technology

Samsung’s vision of seamless connectivity is inspired by the philosophy of Calm Technology – where devices instantly work together, so consumers can save time on setup and get right into the experience. To realise this vision, Samsung reimagined SmartThings and its connected services and partnerships, including Samsung’s Hub Everywhere, extending its capabilities to the entire smart home with audio and visual data as well as SmartThings Energy, SmartThings Pet and SmartThings Cooking. Samsung also partnered with Philips Hue to integrate Philips Hue Sync right into Galaxy devices so smart home lighting can match with music.

The seamless experience will extend beyond Samsung’s ecosystem through SmartThings’ integration with Matter and Samsung’s membership in the Home Connectivity Alliance. Google and Samsung have worked together to enable users to find and link their devices across platforms by building multi-admin feature on Matter devices. The collaboration will bring more devices and users into the connected home in the future.

Bixby has been integrated more deeply with SmartThings, a tool for developers to build more intelligent voice user interface experiences. As Samsung’s representative voice assistant platform, Bixby has evolved to become the on-device AI solution able to control individual Galaxy devices, as well as the cross-device experience throughout the Samsung ecosystem. With the new Bixby Home Studio, developers can now build differentiated, customised experiences for the SmartThings platform.

As the smart home is becoming more advanced, Samsung is introducing a new security paradigm, enabling Samsung devices to protect each other. Samsung Knox Matrix^[1] is a private blockchain based platform that turns eligible Samsung devices into a shield to protect users’ entire device ecosystem – from Galaxy devices to TVs and home appliances. Plus, users can customise personal privacy settings with the new Security and privacy dashboard, which scans for vulnerabilities, recommends security updates, and gives users data management options to keep privacy and security top of mind.

Personalised Services for Better Experiences

In the past year, Samsung TV Plus — Samsung’s free, ad-supported streaming TV and video (FAST) platform available on Samsung Smart TVs^[2] and mobile devices— reached 100% growth in viewership^[3], and projects three billion hours streamed by the end of the year. To build on this momentum, Samsung TV Plus has expanded its offering by adding partnerships with Lionsgate and Vice Media, providing 8K video on demand. Samsung TV Plus has also gone through a redesign, to reflect its extraordinary variety of content with more than 1,600 channels across 24 countries. Samsung TV Plus is the premium choice for a seamless ad experience, where stream stitching makes ad playback simpler than ever.

After 10 years of service, Samsung’s Tizen operating system (OS) continues to offer best-in-class user experiences. The Samsung Gaming Hub brings better, faster and more convenient access to gaming on Samsung Smart TVs, provided by industry-leading partners, such as Xbox, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Utomik and Amazon Luna. Samsung Gaming Hub bridges expertise in hardware and software to integrate features like AI Upscaling and multitask functions to make gaming on Samsung Smart TVs an immersive, optimized experience.

Tizen OS is also expanding to offer NFTs support with partners like Art Token, laCollection and Nifty Gateway. For B2B customers and developers, Samsung is providing B2B APIs specific to industries and use cases like Syncplay, which allows content to be synchronized and played in multiple signages. Tizen is also introducing SALT, a new content conversion solution to display the highest-quality HDR10+ content on supported TVs.

Your Galaxy, Your Way with One UI 5

By introducing the new One UI 5, Samsung has empowered users to easily customise their device’s look and feel, while enhancing productivity and providing amazing experiences across devices and platforms. One UI 5 brings more personalised experiences with custom-built Modes and Routines, and a Dynamic Lock screen that displays multiple visuals on your phone, your Galaxy Watch and other One UI 5 devices. With the new Bixby Text Call feature, Bixby Voice will answer calls on your behalf and share typed messages with the caller, speaking aloud as if you had answered. One UI 5 also introduces new daily health solutions to help track health and wellness in one place. This includes the Samsung Privileged Health SDK, which enables developers to build apps that leverage the BioActive Sensor on the Galaxy Watch^[4].

Future-Forward Investment and Research

Samsung Research is looking beyond today’s horizon to innovate for a better tomorrow, full of relentless innovation and open collaboration. Samsung Research is making its robot arm manipulation code available on GitHub, enabling academics, researchers and developers to examine new ideas in robotic manipulation.

The team at Samsung Research was also inspired by the new wellness features Samsung has introduced, particularly on the Galaxy Watch5. To find new use-cases leveraging these features, Samsung Research is working with universities and healthcare institutions that will explore areas like heart health, stress, blood pressure, lung health and neuroscience. As a result, Samsung is offering a full stack SDK – the Samsung Health Stack – which will jumpstart research into important health fields and spark new development.

Samsung invites developers, creators, partners and more to join in on its commitment to open collaboration and seamless experiences. For more information about the Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) 2022, please visit [developer.samsung.com].

[1] Starting as early as late 2023, Samsung Knox Matrix will be initially available on selected Samsung devices. Support for other manufacturers’ products will follow later.

[2] Samsung TV Plus is available for selected Samsung Smart TVs only.

[3] Comparison between viewership from September 2020 to August 2021 and viewership from September 2021 to August 2022

[4] Available on Galaxy Watch4 series and Galaxy Watch5 series.