Google proclaimed last year that all devices running the Android 5.0 "Lollipop" would encrypt data by default. But it turns out that isn't entirely true.
Some new Lollipop phones do not encode your phone's information by default, according to a report from Ars Technica. Between September of last year and January 2015, Google has backed away from the requirement.
According to Google's Android Compatibility Program, it is merely recommended that OEMs offer default encryption, not required. Google does say that this will most likely be a requirement in the future. The emphasis is Google's:
For devices supporting full-disk encryption, the full-disk encryption SHOULD be enabled all the time after the user has completed the out-of-box experience. While this requirement is stated as SHOULD for this version of the Android platform, it is very strongly RECOMMENDED as we expect this to change to MUST in the future versions of Android.
This goes against what Google has said in the past. In October, for example, Google said in a blog post that device "encryption occurs at first boot, using a unique key that never leaves the device." While the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 offer default encryption, newer devices like the Moto E and Galaxy S6 do not, according to Ars Technica.
"In September, we announced that all new Android Lollipop devices would be encrypted by default. "Due to performance issues on some Android partner devices we are not yet at encryption by default on every new Lollipop device," a Google spokesperson told Mashable. "That said, our new Nexus devices are encrypted by default and Android users (Jelly Bean and above) have the option to encrypt the data on their devices."
Some users have complained about slowed-down phone performance due to encryption. Even though encryption may not be enabled out of the box, users can still set up data protections on their device after purchase by clicking on the "Settings" tab, then "Security" and finally "Encryption."
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