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Google Plans To Bring Password-Free Logins To Android Apps By Year-End (techcrunch.com)

Posted by msmash on from the Google-despises-passwords dept.

An anonymous reader shares a report on TechCrunch: Google's plan to eliminate passwords in favor of systems that take into account a combination of signals -- like your typing patterns, your walking patterns, your current location, and more -- will be available to Android developers by year-end, assuming all goes well in testing this year. In an under-the-radar announcement Friday afternoon at the Google I/O developer conference, the head of Google's research unit ATAP (Advanced Technology and Projects) Daniel Kaufman offered a brief update regarding the status of Project Abacus, the name for a system that opts for biometrics over two-factor authentication. With Project Abacus, users would unlock devices or sign into applications based on a cumulative "Trust Score." This score would be calculated using a variety of factors, including your typing patterns, current location, speed and voice patterns, facial recognition, and other things.The Trust API will be available to developers, who can then implement that into their apps. The company says that developers will have the option to adjust the threshold required for a trust score.

3 of 109 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Luddite here by Calydor · · Score: 5, Insightful

    In fact they will be extremely troublesome.

    Typing or voice patterns? Oh so sorry, you have a headache or the flu, your pattern has shifted enough to not be recognizable. Walking patterns? Too bad about that broken leg after your ski trip, you're locked out of your phone for three months or more.

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  2. Walking patterns? by the_skywise · · Score: 5, Funny

    Good luck getting that to work when you're drunk and trying to order up an Uber.
    "I need -hic- whoa I need a uber to get home"
    UNAUTHORIZED USER
    "No like really man, open up and order me a..."
    UNAUTHORIZED USER
    "Oh fu...fu... fine... hic... Oh wait"
    UNAUTHORIZED USER"
    "SHADDUP THAT WASN'T AN ATTEMPT"
    UNAUTHORIZED USER
    "wait wait... my voice is.. my passport, verify me?"
    UNAUTHORIZED USER
    "FUG YOU... Ima just gonna llie down on this soft concrete now..."
    "Oh dude... check out this guys awesome phone, grab it!"
    User accepted, have a nice day.
    "sweet!"

  3. Bio auth NOT protected by 5th Amendment by thedarb · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Do not want. Courts can, and do, compel people to provide bio-metric data, as that is not protected by the 5th Amendment. Only passwords and pass-phrases are protected. Government agencies would LOVE this trend, especially if it became the only form of authentication on your device(s), as they wouldn't need a back door to your encryption anymore. Do not accept this weakening of your security.

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