Google has confirmed the Pixel 4 smartphone’s Face Unlock system can allow access to a person’s device even if they have their eyes closed.
One security expert said it was a significant problem that could allow unauthorised access to the device. By comparison, Apple’s Face ID system checks the user is “alert” and looking at the phone before unlocking.
Google said in a statement: “Pixel 4 Face Unlock meets the security requirements as a strong biometric.”
MacDailyNews Take: “And water is dry, up is down, and black is white,” Google added.
On Tuesday, BBC News tested the Face Unlock feature on the new Pixel 4.
Proof, for those asking #madebygoogle #pixel4 pic.twitter.com/mBDJphVpfB
— Chris Fox (@thisisFoxx) October 15, 2019
“If someone can unlock your phone while you’re asleep, it’s a big security problem,” said cyber-security expert Graham Cluley. “Someone unauthorised – a child or partner? – could unlock the phone without your permission by putting it in front of your face while you’re asleep,” he told BBC News.
“I wouldn’t trust it to secure the private conversations and data on my phone.”
MacDailyNews Take: As with the smartphone, the tablet, the smartwatch, contactless payments, and myriad other innovations, Apple showed Google how to do facial recognition with the launch of Face ID over two years ago with the iPhone X. All Google has to do was copy Apple for the umpteenth time.
As with the smartphone, the tablet, the smartwatch, contactless payments, and myriad other innovations, Google still can’t get facial recognition right.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “JayinDC” for the heads up.]
Does careless Samsung make phones for Google? 🙃
Google can’t get shit right but the media calls them innovative…smh.
Why do all these people down play it saying a family member could gain access to your phone.
Let’s talk reality, gang banger sees you have this new phone, plays knock out game on your noggin, grabs phone, Unlocks it with your comatose face, and can now do whatever he wants at that point.
You are not supposed to talk that way, remember the diversity police are always watching. You are trying to reduce the gang bangers economic opportunities. Shame
Sure, except white people – despite your implication otherwise – are members of gangs as well, which defeats your whole bs diversity point?
Let’s really talk reality, namely you’ve likely never encountered a ‘gang banger’ in your life so that’s not reality for a lot of people, yourself included. What’s closer to truth is that a teenager or adult (husband, wife, relative) will likely misuse your phone.
That’s not a bug. That’s a feature for tired or not fully awake Pixel 4 users. Just put it in front of your face without opening your eyes to unlock it. Most thieves wouldn’t even be aware a person could do this. Now, that’s what I call innovation. No wonder Apple is always said to be falling behind every other tech company and why Android smartphones dominate global sales over the iPhone by such a huge amount.
/s
It’s like when Curly of the 3 Stooges paints his eyelids with eyeballs and fools people into thinking he’s wide awake. That’s pretty slick.
Seriously though I think it’s great that there is no excuse now for not doing work when you are asleep. These lazy so an so’s have got away with it for far too long.
Never cared for the idea of Face ID anyways. It was bad enough when all a crook had to do, to access your phone, was to chop off your thumb.
If one uses Google services, regardless of OS, then defeating a screen lock is not on the top of your list of security issues. Same with many apps that Apple sells on iOS, the tracking and user data collection are never ending on iOS too. Apple still makes Google the default search engine. Neither company is doing all they can do to secure user information. Don’t give Apple a free pass.