Ammon News - Google on Thursday launched a new selfie video sign-in feature, allowing users another option to log in to their accounts or ​recover them in case they are locked out due to ‌forgotten passwords or lack of access to their preferred devices.

The Alphabet-owned (GOOGL.O), opens new tab company will allow users to set up verification by recording a brief ​video of themselves performing guided head movements that would ​capture multiple angles. Google will then save the ⁠recording and use it to authenticate the live videos that ​users upload during their sign-in attempts later on.

While the new ​feature could provide stronger protection against fraud and better account recovery options for users, especially in cases of lost or stolen devices, it could also raise ​some concerns around privacy and biometric data collection.

Google said ​that the selfie video is stored with the user's consent, and the ‌user ⁠has the option to delete it at any time in their Google account. The video will be used only for sign-in purposes, unless the user opts in to share ​it for additional ​use cases, ⁠the company said.

The company added it uses several security checks to detect impersonation attempts, including deepfakes, by comparing ​a new recording with the saved selfie ​video and ⁠requiring users to perform movements that confirm the video is live.

The feature is available to eligible Google Account users from Thursday.

Companies currently rely on trusted ⁠devices, ​registered phone numbers, recovery contacts and ​two-factor authentication for account-recovery procedures. Biometric and facial recognition have long been a subject of privacy ​concerns.


Reuters