LG Joins Monthly Android Security Patch Promise

LG has joined Google and Samsung in promising timely Android patches, committing to monthly releases as exploits like Stagefright put security back under the microscope. Earlier this week, Google announced it would release Android security fixes on a monthly basis for its own Nexus handsets, which run unmodified versions of the search giant's OS. Samsung swiftly followed with a similar promise.

Now it's LG's turn. "LG will be providing security updates on a monthly basis which carriers will then be able to make available to customers immediately," the company told Wired.

"We believe these important steps will demonstrate to LG customers that security is our highest priority," LG suggested.

Unclear at this stage is how the carriers might affect those intentions. One of the biggest roadblocks to timely Android OS upgrades has been the various stages of manufacturer and carrier testing.

Indeed, while Google has had a Stagefright fix available for some time now, the number of devices actually patched is tiny, with device OEMs and networks yet to release the update to subscribers.

Samsung said that it was in discussions with carriers about keeping to its "about once per month" patch release goal, and it can only be assumed that LG is doing similar, but no final plans have been shared publicly.

SOURCE Wired