Google Chrome is upgrading its password management system on Android by introducing biometric authentication for auto-filled passwords.
Users will now need to verify their identity using biometric methods, such as fingerprint recognition, before passwords are auto-filled. This enhancement aims to provide better protection for user credentials, especially in untrusted environments like public Wi-Fi networks.
A new feature in Chrome Canary makes biometric verification mandatory in certain scenarios, adding an extra layer of security. While a similar feature was available previously and then removed, it is now being reintroduced in testing phases with plans for broader deployment.
In addition to biometric enhancements, Google Password Manager now allows passkeys to be synchronized across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android devices. Previously, passkeys were limited to Android devices only.
The update simplifies the login process, enabling users to authenticate with biometrics or PINs without additional steps like scanning QR codes.
Support for Chrome OS is currently in beta, and Google is working to include iOS compatibility in the future. To further secure passkeys, Google Password Manager has introduced the option to set a PIN for added protection.
This ensures that passkeys are end-to-end encrypted, preventing access by Google or third parties. Although adding a PIN might seem counterintuitive for a system designed to eliminate passwords, Google believes it adds an extra layer of privacy while ensuring cross-device synchronization.
Sources: Android Police, iPhone in Canada, Android Authority
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September 20, 2024 – by The Mobile ID World Editorial Team
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