Why can skipping Android updates be risky? India’s cybersecurity agency warns outdated phones face growing threats from newly discovered vulnerabilities.
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| A critical Android vulnerability highlights how avoiding software updates can put personal and organizational data at risk. Image: CH |
Tech Desk — January 24, 2026:
For millions of Android users, the familiar “storage full” notification has become a reason to postpone software updates. But cybersecurity experts and government agencies are increasingly warning that this common habit may be creating far bigger risks than a crowded photo gallery. Skipping operating system updates, they say, can leave smartphones exposed to known vulnerabilities that attackers are actively seeking to exploit.
India’s government cybersecurity agency, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (Cert-In), has issued an advisory urging Android users to install the latest OS and security updates without delay. The warning follows the release of a January Android security patch that fixes a critical flaw capable of causing device crashes, automatic restarts, and potential data loss on affected phones.
The vulnerability is linked to the Dolby Digital Plus Unified Decoder, a component used for media processing across many Android devices. While Dolby has stated that the issue does not allow a third party to take full control of a phone, the consequences of exploitation could still be disruptive. Media players may crash unexpectedly, devices could reboot repeatedly, and important data could be lost—outcomes that undermine both usability and trust in mobile devices.
Google has confirmed that the flaw was first reported in October 2025, highlighting a key challenge in mobile security: the gap between when a vulnerability is discovered and when users actually install the fix. During this window, phones running outdated software remain vulnerable. The risk is particularly acute for devices used in professional settings, where sensitive emails, documents, and internal systems may be accessible from a single handset.
The situation also reflects a broader behavioral issue. Many users view OS updates as optional, especially on older phones with limited storage. Cert-In and security experts argue that this trade-off is misguided. While deleting unused apps, duplicate images, or cached files may be inconvenient, it is far safer than running software that lacks protection against publicly known flaws.
As smartphones increasingly function as digital wallets, workstations, and identity hubs, the cost of neglecting updates continues to rise. The latest Android vulnerability serves as a reminder that security patches are not cosmetic improvements but essential defenses. Even small updates can close critical gaps, protecting users from data leaks, system instability, and evolving cyber threats in an increasingly mobile-first world.