Android 17 Adds Encrypted Client Hello to Enhance Browsing Privacy

Android 17, released in August 2026, introduces Encrypted Client Hello (ECH) support, allowing users to hide the domain names of websites they visit from their internet service providers.

ECH functions by encrypting the Server Name Indication field in the TLS handshake, preventing ISPs from monitoring unencrypted domain-level browsing data used for advertising profiles.

Users can verify the privacy feature by visiting crypto.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/trace and checking the 'sni=' line, as the protection operates automatically in the background without requiring manual toggles.