Facial recognition

Davesquire

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81966743#Comment_81966743

Apparently, android do.

masonic

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81968063#Comment_81968063

Agreed, I've not encountered an Android phone that can do this properly personally, but I don't shop for really high end devices.

Davesquire

I had an interesting experience with fingerprint ID many years ago. I think that it was a Dell (though can’t rightly remember), which had fingerprint login capability. I tried it and it was quite successful - until I did some diy involving bricks, whick scraped all of my fingers. The skin didn’t grow back properly for a couple of weeks.

Davesquire

“it heralds long pin/passwords as the secure option, but doesn't mention the massive pitfall of reusing the same pin and password across multiple apps…”

You can’t regulate for stupidity. But also, people only have a limited memory. Unless you carry a passcode book around then you can’t necessarily use the full range of apps unless you use a password manager.

“It also doesn't touch on the fact someone could be shoulder surfing you as you unlock.”

You can buy screen covers which limit the visibility to looking directly at the screen. These SHOULD be automatically built into the tech by now.
A classic case of big business not wanting to pay for security, instead relying on the user to jump through more hoops.

surreysaver

They tell us not to use the same PIN or password for different cards or accounts.

Surely using biometrics is the same?

booneruk

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81968243#Comment_81968243

Well no one can look over your shoulder while you're unlocking and "memorise" your fingerprint. They also can't guess your fingerprint (123456 being a guessable pin number)

masonic

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81968243#Comment_81968243

Biometrics do not require you to use the same PIN or password across different accounts. They are an alternative means to unlock an account by proving you are in proximity to your registered device, and should never be used in isolation. There is also no requirement for any individual to hold only one card or account to prevent reuse of customers across different providers. Though life would be simpler if each person could only hold one online account. ;)

Barkin

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81968063#Comment_81968063

re: facial recognition...I don't think it's Android per se that's the problem, but rather the hardware that it's running on.

ICBW but I'm pretty certain an older Google Pixel phone (4 perhaps?) used proper IR 3D depth mapping. More recent models use dual pixel cameras, which gives them limited 3D capabilities and are better than a plain old 2D image, but isn't secure enough for anything sensitive IMO.

born_again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81965437#Comment_81965437

So how do you suggest that a bank or such checks that the person applying for a account is who they say they are?

Or is it going to be like before ], the only way to open a account is physically in a branch with physical paperwork to prove who you are?

Nasqueron

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81968063#Comment_81968063

Android has supported face ID since 2011 in 4.0 (as with every tech advance, long before Apple in 2017!) initially with a 2D system but it comes down to if the manufacturer wants to implement it or not. Android 10 in 2019 introduced a much more secure system for the advanced phones. The difference between Apple and Android is most Android manufacturers use smaller pinhole cameras for the selfie one which doesn't allow for the big notch that you need for tech like IR cameras to make the secure 3D process work.

Samsung use 2D face ID still so it's not secure enough for banking but do use a more secure 3d fingerprint scanner; Google since Pixel 8 (using AI), Hoor with the Magic 6 Pro and above, Huwaei Mate 20 and above all use secure 3D face ID