You can now log into your Google account with a selfie video
Google has introduced a new feature allowing users to log into their accounts using a selfie video to verify their identity. The system uses encrypted video data and multiple security layers to prevent impersonation, though it has faced criticism regarding privacy and security concerns.
Why it matters
This represents a shift toward biometric authentication in consumer accounts, raising ongoing debates about the balance between user convenience and digital privacy.
Google is now letting you log into your account with a selfie video. You of course first need to set this up, by recording an initial selfie video, in which you just look at your device's camera and complete "a few short, guided head movements to capture multiple angles", the company says.
After that, you can log into your Google account with a selfie video, for example if you've forgotten your password. Google will compare the new selfie video with the one you recorded when you set up the feature and let you in.
You can delete the saved selfie video at any time from your account, and Google says it's only used for helping you sign in, "unless you opt to share it for additional purposes". The selfie video is "encrypted at rest", meaning it's securely stored even when it's not being used.
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